Colleagues,
I recall when I was a Ph.D. student, I had ideas for research that didn’t fit into any of the faculty-funded projects. When I asked how I could work on these topics, I was advised to “write a grant.” It was my first research proposal and to my surprise it was funded! When I was working on the budget for that grant, I came across the F&A rate, which I had to use to determine the indirect costs. When I asked my professor about it, he said it was “the tax we pay to the university.”
However, my professor’s explanation was not accurate. Indirect costs, also known as Facilities and Administration costs (F&A), represent a portion of the internal costs of conducting our research. The federal government and universities have a longstanding partnership, dating back to World War II, dedicated to funding research. Universities assume the risk of doing the research and the federal government provides funding for the direct costs and partial reimbursement for the indirect costs such as electrical power, research libraries, and the personnel involved in processing grants to name a few. These costs are not directly charged to our grants, so the F&A funds cover (most) of them.
In the interest of transparency, the Office of Research has collaborated with the WSU Budget Office to make information about F&A costs, the annual amount of F&A collected by WSU, and how these funds are distributed to different university units publicly available. Executive Policy #2 details how the F&A are allocated across units. Our webpage provides additional information on WSU’s F&A including a summary of the F&A expenditures from the system pool for FY24 and our budgeted amounts for FY25. Please note that these expenditures do not include the expenditures for the college, department, or non-Pullman campus components.
Michael Wolcott
Regents Professor
Interim Vice President for Research
Research Happens Every Day
Research Happens Every Day recognizes the fact that faculty make contributions to the WSU research enterprise every day of the year. In support of this crucial research and creative activity, ORAP will be hosting events celebrating diverse research and creative contributions as well as providing workshops, information sessions, and other training opportunities year-round.
Join us at 11 a.m., on Thursday, October 24 on the Pullman campus at the Alumni Center or via zoom, for the annual presentation of the Research Excellence Awards and the announcement of the winners of this year’s funding competitions. These awards are given to recognize outstanding WSU researchers for their unique, successful contributions to WSU’s mission as a land-grant research institution. These researchers have made an impact in their fields, their communities, and at WSU. Please RSVP for the calendar invite!
Upcoming Events
Interdisciplinary Dialogue: Environmental Impacts
Today, October 2, at 3 p.m., the Office of Research Working Group on Arts & Humanities continues its series of Interdisciplinary Dialogues with a conversation centered on Environmental Impacts. Panelists Debbie Lee, professor in English, Michael Brady, assistant professor in the School of Economics Sciences, Jeff Sanders, professor of History, and M.A. Miller, assistant professor in the Department of Women’s, Gender, Sexuality Studies, will present broad perspectives about the outcomes of human relationships with and interactions in our natural world. Ranging from historic, narrative, and economic angles, panelists will share their related work and scholarly production. Following the informal panel discussion, the floor will open for informal conversation with audience members about their related work and interests. This event is in person in CUE 518 on the Pullman campus. Please RSVP.
Finding Funding in Arts and Humanities
Do you know which federal and non-federal sponsors are interested in funding your idea? On Thursday, October 3, at noon, learn the ins and outs of searching the Pivot database for funding opportunities specific to arts and humanities. Office of Research Advancement and Partnership’s Pivot expert, Emily Brashear, will help you set up notifications, track funding opportunities, find collaborators, and share opportunities with your coworkers. RSVP to attend via Zoom.
WSU Cannabis Symposium 2024
WSU’s Center for Cannabis Policy, Research and Outreach (CCPRO) is hosting the first annual WSU Cannabis Symposium. The focus of this year’s symposium is to clarify and summarize how WSU researchers can be involved in cannabis-related research, support development of collaborative efforts between WSU cannabis researchers and stakeholders, and seek guidance from the WSU cannabis research community members regarding how CCPRO may best serve them. Lunch will be provided. Join us in person at the Compton Union Building Junior Ballroom on Friday, October 4, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Cost of attendance is $10 per person. RSVP to attend!
Lunch and Learn: Tips for Effective Writing of Specific Aims on Grant Applications
On Tuesday, October 15, from noon – 1 p.m., plan to bring your lunch and your laptop to the Lighty 280 conference room and work alongside Lydia Baxter-Howard, proposal development specialist in the Office of Research Advancement and Partnerships, as she provides tips for writing effective and concise specific aims for your grant proposals. RSVP online to attend.
Information Session: Life Cycle of a Grant
Discover how the Office of Research can help you throughout the life cycle of your grant. Join Cheryl Dykstra-Aiello and Lydia Baxter-Howard from the Office of Research Advancement and Partnerships (ORAP), at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, October 17, as they provide an overview of how the Office of Research can help you to develop and submit a grant proposal, ensure you have a compliant research program, and manage and license your intellectual property. This will be a virtual event held via Zoom. RSVP for the Zoom meeting details.
Information Session: PI Roles and Responsibilities
What is your role as the lead PI of a sponsored project? What legal responsibilities do you have and how do you navigate the murky waters of federal, state, and private award requirements? Join Levi O’Loughlin from the Office of Research Assurances, and Cheryl Dykstra-Aiello and Lydia Baxter-Howard from the Office of Research Advancement and Partnerships at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, October 22, to help you explore these questions and more. This will be a virtual event held via Zoom. RSVP for the Zoom meeting details.
Workshop – Introduction to High Performance Computing on Kamiak
The Center for Institutional Research Computing’s (CIRC) will host a hands-on introductory workshop from 10:10 a.m. – 1 p.m., on Tuesday, October 29. The workshop will introduce participants to basic High Performance Computing (HPC) concepts, including job submission and file transfer. Learn to utilize the freely available computing resources on WSU’s Kamiak HPC to power your research! This workshop will be held online. Advance registration is required.
Lunch and Learn: DEIA in Proposal Development
Assessment of research, scholarship, and creative activity not only furthers WSU’s commitment to these values but is increasingly an important requirement of most funding opportunities. On Tuesday, November 5, from noon – 1 p.m., plan to bring your lunch and your laptop to the Lighty 280 conference room and work alongside Cheryl Dykstra-Aiello, research development specialist, to develop your own DEIA plan for your developing grant proposal using a template developed by the Office of Research Advancement and Partnerships. RSVP online to attend.
Call for Proposals
Notice of Intent Due: Community Engaged Research Seed Grant
The 12-month Community Engaged Research Tier Two Seed Grants are intended to support WSU Pullman faculty, who are new to community engaged research or creative activity, and provide seed funding to establish relationships with community partners, which may include travel, hosting a series of listening sessions, focus groups, etc. A Notice of Intent is required to apply and is due Friday, November 1. Late NOIs will not be accepted. Full proposals will be due Sunday, December 1. The funding period will begin January 29. For more information, visit the Office of Research Advancement and Partnerships website or email or.orap.servicedesk@wsu.edu.
USAID seeking proposals for innovative health practices to reduce disease and mortality rates worldwide
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking participants to co-create, co-design, co-invest, and collaborate on creating, piloting, and scaling innovative research and development interventions utilizing innovative health practices to help reduce disease and mortality rates worldwide. USAID invites organizations and companies to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and participate in generating novel tools and approaches that accelerate and sustain improved health outcomes in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs).
Washington Research Foundation Student Program Funding Opportunity
Washington Research Foundation (WRF) seeks to expand its support of student programs by launching an opportunity for nonprofit colleges and universities located in Washington state to apply for funding for new or existing student programs related to STEM research and entrepreneurship. Institutions may apply for up to $50,000 per year for two years of funding.
Now accepting applications for Supplemental Research Funds
Often in research and creative work, faculty find they need a little extra support to fund ancillary project activities. To this end, the Office of Research Advancement and Partnerships invites qualified WSU faculty members in any track systemwide to apply for Supplemental Research Funds; partial support to cover these costs. Qualified applicants should use supplemental research funds for activities including (but not limited to) events advancing or promoting a program, minor equipment and technology costs, and open access or other publication fees. Funds should be in addition to primary funding sources, as they are not intended to support core research costs. Travel is not an eligible use for these funds.
For Your Information
SBDC releases quarterly newsletter
The Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) recently released the SBDC Biz Buzz Quarterly, which highlights client success stories, advisor spotlights, and upcoming events.