Guidelines on PI Use of Indirect Cost Recovery Funds

Indirect Cost Recovery (ICR) is the reimbursement that the university receives for facilities and administration, otherwise known as indirect costs. Funds are allocated on an annual basis for expenditures made during the previous fiscal year. The College of Public Health Dean’s Office pays a significant portion of these funds back to the central university business units to support the overall
research infrastructure. Funds that remain in the college are used to support the Office of Research Administration in the College of Public Health, which provides pre- and post-award management of all sponsored projects. The dean subsequently has discretion to determine how the remaining funds are distributed to investigators throughout the College of Public Health. A portion is returned to PIs to incentivize research.

ICR funds are to be used for the following purposes: support for research staff (full time or part time), graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and undergraduate student workers, equipment purchases, statistical support, professional association dues, and travel. Other uses of these funds must be reviewed and approved by the Office of Research Administration.