Exceptions to RIT's Federally Approved F&A Rate

Due to ongoing legal challenges, uncertainty surrounding federal indirect cost (IDC) recovery, and RIT budget requirements, the Vice President for Research (VPR) has directed that all proposals strictly comply with the Administrative Policies and Procedures for Externally Sponsored Projects, and effective immediately, under Section 3.4.3.2 - Reduction of RIT's Approved F&A Rate, the following clarified language will apply:

No reduction in RIT's approved F&A rate should be included in a proposal unless it is required by the non-profit or government sponsor. If there is such a requirement by the non-profit or government sponsor then the appropriate party (PI and/or Department Head, and Dean) should provide a written justification and seek prior approval in writing from the VPR via SRS. The VPR may consult SPA and approval shall be consistent with Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR 200, Appendix III. This policy shall not apply to for-profit entities as no reduction in RIT's approved F&A rate is allowed in these instances.

Any reduction of F&A also requires documentation of a publicly available non-profit or government sponsor policy and approval by the chair, dean, and VPR through the Novelution internal approval process. Faculty may be required to submit a brief justification outlining the project’s intellectual merit and its anticipated benefit to RIT.

Please work closely with your pre-award administrator to ensure that all required documentation and approvals are secured prior to proposal submission.

If you have any questions please contact:

Maria Cortes, Director of Proposal Development: mccsrs@rit.edu