Higher education officials are protesting a federal Office of Management and Budget proposal to limit the rate at which universities can charge the government for overhead expenses on research and development. The change would affect 56 of the top 100 institutions receiving federal grants, whose rates go to 41 percent. (MSE)

Stanford University (California) and the United States Navy have settled a dispute over 12 years of charges for research overhead, and the Navy has issued a rule requiring universities to negotiate multiyear overhead rates when appropriate data are available. Stanford agreed to pay back a total of $3.4-million. (MSE)

The Office of Management and Budget has adopted a policy limiting overhead expenses incurred in federally funded research to 26 percent and disallowing certain costs deemed inappropriate. Of 100 institutions receiving the most federal funds for research and development, 56 will lose money under the policy. Other reviews for reform also continue.…

As news reports continue to describe questionable charges for indirect costs in government-sponsored research, academic officials try to explain the rates, which vary greatly by institution and are based on complicated accounting formulas, to the press, alumni, trustees, and state legislators. Overhead rates, ranging from 37 percent to 77 percent,…

Under a new cost-management plan at the National Institutes of Health, overhead rates charged on research grants, as part of the total project cost, could be a determining factor on "marginal" proposals. Some feel universities will learn to be more economical; others feel the policy penalizes one group of universities. (MSE)

Recent federal audits of research project overhead charges at 13 universities uncovered over $13 million in inappropriate items. Proposals for reform include a federal upper limit on overhead rates and a fixed institutional overhead rate charged to any sponsor. Concern continues over repayment to the government of previous wrongful collections by…

A discussion of the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) policies concerning computation of indirect costs on federally funded research projects at universities focuses on recent policy changes. Significant revisions are examined, future points of scrutiny are noted, and ongoing initiatives are described. Three options for indirect cost…

Questions and answers by the Association of American Universities address some issues in the complex matter of indirect costs for research projects, including the different kinds of costs, federal treatment of them, the federal indirect cost system, cost allocation, the memorandum of understanding, variation among institutions' costs, and cost…

In the largest settlement of its kind, New York University has agreed to pay the federal government $15.5 million to resolve charges that it submitted false information to obtain inflated reimbursements for costs associated with research grants. At least four universities are being investigated on similar grounds. The Clinton Administration issued…

At the University of Akron (Ohio), research productivity was enhanced through improved information exchange, implementation of a systematic approach to securing funds, grant-writing seminars, reallocation of indirect-cost returns, establishment of a fund to cover unplanned expenditures, and other support activities. Creation and maintenance of a…

Various theories are circulated concerning Stanford University's (California) controversy over use of federal research funds. Issues involved include billing the government for inappropriate charges, the rapid growth of problems, public relations failures, and poor administration. The president's role in addressing the crisis is a central concern.…

The average rate for research overhead charges at major universities has declined nearly a point to 51% in the last three years, in the wake of stricter federal rules and intense political pressure. Largest reductions are at private institutions with the highest rates. (MSE)

Despite pressure from Congress and faculty, and a series of revisions in federal regulations, the average rate charged the government by universities for overhead for federally financed research appears remains high. Average rate for the top 100 research institutions is over 50%; most of the highest rates are at private institutions; all the…

The 10-year report of Virginia's Director of the State Council for Higher Education gives an overview of trends and changes in the state's institutions during that period, examines strategies for the future of the state's higher education planning, and discusses the role of technology in knowledge development. It outlines the broad principles of…