In response to criticism of the rise in indirect cost rates and their effect on federally funded research, the methods for calculating and applying indirect costs rates according to the new cost principles applicable to sponsored agreements are examined, and specific criticisms are addressed. (MSE)

Published research on institutional characteristics associated with external research funding are reviewed. Principal points of agreement are that funding levels are related to previous funding levels; publications are related to funding; and funding is related to the existence of doctoral programs. No evidence of bias in federal funding was…

Various aspects of the costs of research are examined including: cost-sharing, indirect cost items, costs of proposal preparation, costs of research-academicians turned government-researchers and research-administrators. Budget items of a typical grant award are reviewed to determine which elements may be considered pay-off. (MLW)

The Office of Management and Budget's new alternatives for reporting an institution's activities under federal grants are outlined and explained, and possible implementation problems with each alternative are suggested. Options discussed include personnel activity reporting, monitored workload, multiple certification, and statistical sampling.…