Writing and administering proper subcontracts are essential components of effective grant and contract management. Frequently, prime grantees and contractors issue letters, simple purchase orders, or other brief documents in order to establish subcontracting relationships. The reason why these are not adequate is explained. (MLW)

This article examines possible changes to provide increased federal funding for university-based research facilities. The difficulties of converting between depreciation and use allowances are discussed, as is the possibility of using current market value versus acquisition cost as a basis for costing calculations and splitting the indirect cost…

This paper categorizes and tabulates recommendations of 16 reports published since 1980 addressing ways to improve the management of federally sponsored academic research in the United States. The analysis found that most frequently reiterated recommendations have not been implemented, possibly because implementation often depends on consensus of…

The practice and methods of federal research impact assessment are described. Three areas of evaluation (selection of research project, research review, and postresearch assessment) are examined, and different evaluation methods (qualitative, retrospective, and quantitative) are compared. Peer evaluation, the most common assessment method, is seen…

Examines the concept of cost sharing between grantor agencies and grantee institutions and identifies problems encountered, including use of cost sharing to leverage funds by both funding agencies and grantee institutions; and various grantee institution costing, accounting, and auditing issues, such as effort reporting, the Cost Accounting…

Discusses various policy considerations related to the sharing by universities of the costs of federally funded research in the context of government expectations that research universities will carry out the vital functions of training the next generation of scientists and engineers, performing a large fraction of federally funded basic research,…

Addresses ongoing issues in research cost sharing between government and universities in the context of the current Presidential Review Directive on the Government-University Research Partnership. Issues include the procurement vs. assistance conundrum, systemic shifting of costs of research from the government to universities, and the failure of…

Discusses issues in the recent debate on cost sharing within the federal government-university partnership, the historical roots of cost sharing, and limitations on the recovery of costs under federally funded research. Notes that the Presidential Review Directive process is working toward a set of guiding principles and recommendations to enhance…

Identifies issues not addressed by the National Science and Technology Council and the National Science Foundation in recent policy initiatives dealing with federal cost-sharing policies and practices within the research community. These include establishment of differential cost-sharing requirements for universities and states that traditionally…

Discussion of cost sharing in the government-university relationship focuses on the controversial idea that adding a "factor" for voluntary cost sharing in the rate base for facilities and administration and rationalizing the assignment of space to functions could simplify rate negotiation, decrease record-keeping burdens, and avoid…