Directive #99-083: Indirect Cost Return (ICR) Programs


Curt Acredolo (cracredolo@ucdavis.edu)
Fri, 23 Jul 1999 17:41:11 -0800


From: UCD Directives <ucddirectives@ucdavis.edu>
Subject: Directive #99-083: Indirect Cost Return (ICR) Programs

UC DAVIS: OFFICE OF THE CHANCELLOR
OFFICE OF THE PROVOST

July 15, 1999

DEANS, DIRECTORS, DEPARTMENT CHAIRS

SUBJECT: Indirect Cost Return (ICR) Programs

Dear Colleagues:

In March, I announced a series of new programs that allocate indirect cost
funds to campus units (ref: March 10, 1999 letter to CODVC). I am writing now
to provide you with the detailed allocation methodology that will apply to each
program. Allocations for 1999-2000 will be announced by the Office of the Vice
Chancellor--Research by December 1999.

1. Federal Indirect Cost Return Program. This program was established in 1990
and will continue to operate as it does today. The federal return program
allocates 25 percent of the campus's share of University Opportunity Funds
designated for research to department chairs. Each department's share of the
total return is proportionately related to the total value of the indirect cost
funds attributable to their federal contracts and grants in the prior year.

2. Private Indirect Cost Return Program. This new program allocates 25 percent
of the indirect costs from private contracts and grants that are received by
the campus. Approximately two-thirds of this amount will be allocated directly
to department chairs using a pro-rata distribution based on the total value of
the indirect cost funds attributable to their private grants in the prior year
(similar to the federal indirect cost return program). Department chairs will
be able to use these funds in direct support of faculty research activities or
to offset the costs of departmental administration of contracts and grants. The
balance of the funds will be used by the Office of the Vice
Chancellor--Research to fund three positions that will support the Human
Subjects Review Committees.

3. Off-the-Top Return Program. This new program allocates 25 percent of the
campus off-the-top (overhead) fund. These funds will be allocated to the campus
to support the administrative costs associated with extramural contracts and
grants. The funds will be allocated proportionately based on the components of
the existing indirect cost rates as described below.

Rate Component Allocation Average Percent
Department Administration Deans 64%
General Administration Vice Chancellor Hamilton 22%
Sponsored Program Administration Vice Chancellor Smith 8%
Library Librarian Sharrow 4%
Student Services Administration Dean Gonzalez 2%

4. Indirect Cost Block Grant. This new program allocates $500,000 annually to
the Vice Chancellor--Research to augment various research-related programs. In
fiscal year 1999-2000, Vice Chancellor Smith has decided that half of the funds
will be allocated to the Committee on Research to augment research and travel
grant programs. He has also decided to allocate the balance of the funds to
support research-related costs such as computing needs, and interdisciplinary
initiatives. Vice Chancellor Smith will communicate directly with deans
regarding these allocations.

5. Reporting. Each Fall, the Planning and Budget Office prepares an annual
report on the overall sources and uses of all campus indirect cost recovery
funds. The report for 1997-98 is available on the Planning and Budget Office
web page (<http://www.pbo.ucdavis.edu/>www.pbo.ucdavis.edu). The Office of
Research will provide information to each dean detailing the annual allocations
within his or her college. In addition, the Office of Research will prepare a
report summarizing the allocation of all funds distributed through the indirect
cost return programs so that the effect of these important programs can be
reviewed regularly.

Sincerely,
Robert D. Grey
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor

/dfu

Directive #99-083



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