I have seen such costs be allowed by USAID when the purpose of the award is to bring foreign participants to the U.S. for cultural and educational experiences.
Unallowable costs are like the definition of a weed—“a plant growing in the wrong place.”
If the cost advances the purpose of the project, it might be justifiable, e.g., alcohol for studies of the impact of alcohol on the ability to do X, tickets to a U.S. basketball game for participants from Uganda, etc.
As always, “it depends.”
Pam
From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@lists.healthresearch.org] On Behalf Of Mike McCallister
Sent: Monday, August 01, 2011 9:11 AM
To: xxxxxx@lists.healthresearch.org
Subject: Re: [RESADM-L] Question about allowable cost
No intention of beating you up and I’m sorry if it felt that way. It’s more about the lack of professionalism that is often evidenced in those we choose to run those TRIO project. There are many good projects. There are many more other projects, too.
Spanky
From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@lists.healthresearch.org] On Behalf Of Ivona Jukic
Sent: Monday, August 01, 2011 12:08 PM
To: xxxxxx@lists.healthresearch.org
Subject: Re: [RESADM-L] Question about allowable cost
Just an interesting question that popped up this morning on my listserv.
Ivona
Ivona Jukic, CRA
Grants Manager
Office of Sponsored Programs & Research
University Library 211
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Monroe, LA 71209
(p) 318.342.1476
(f) 318.342.1479
http://ulm.edu/research
From: "Mike McCallister" <xxxxxx@IDEATE.COM>
To: xxxxxx@lists.healthresearch.org
Sent: Monday, August 1, 2011 11:01:53 AM
Subject: Re: [RESADM-L] Question about allowable cost
I've seen this TRIO scam run several times, had an audit and that auditor said NO and we fired the director (who had been doing other interesting things. Even if it's OK, what' the educational benefit? How does it help a first generation SES person succeed in college? They aren't at summer camp.
It's a stupid idea.
Spanky
-----Original Message-----
From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@lists.healthresearch.org] On Behalf Of Christine Hempowicz
Sent: Monday, August 01, 2011 11:57 AM
To: xxxxxx@lists.healthresearch.org
Subject: [RESADM-L] Question about allowable cost
I have been asked to poll my colleagues regarding allowability of a cost, as per OMB Circular A-21. (I'm sure the costs are not allowable, but your input is valuable.)
"J.17. Entertainment costs. Cost of entertainment, including amusement, diversion, and social activities and any costs directly associated with such costs (such as tickets to shows or sports events, meals, lodging, rentals, transportation, and gratuities) are unallowable."
Please let me know if you think that (1) tickets and (2) transportation to an amusement park, for a TRIO program that serves middle and high-school students, are allowable costs for use of federal funds under OMB Circular A-21.
Thank you very much.
Christine Hempowicz, Ed.D.
Director, Office of Sponsored Research
University of Bridgeport
Wahlstrom Library, Room 716
xxxxxx@bridgeport.edu
(203) 576-4973
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