I agree with Tom Drinane.  It depends on the type of project and
whether the funding agency allows it.  I always encourage our faculty
to be very specific in their proposal narratives about the need for
certain equipment, supplies, and services.  As long as there is
sufficient justification (which can be proven if needed), there
shouldn't be a problem.

On issue #2, the private versus professional use of the internet, I
would only be concerned if the internet provider charges for the
amount of time spent on the internet.  I believe that even with
high-speed access, internet providers typically offer flat rates for
unlimited access.  Of course, when it comes to PIs downloading
"discriminating" material for personal use, you are talking about a
whole other issue . . .

Hope this helps

Stephan

On Thu, 8 Jan 2004 07:47:58 -0500
 Tom Drinane <xxxxxx@DARTMOUTH.EDU> wrote:
>Seems to me that not all research situations will match the situation
>of
>downloading the occasional large spreadsheet.  Surely, a researcher
>collaborating with colleagues around the world, downloading data or
>image
>files on a regular basis (a single project could involve hundreds of
>image
>files - photomicrographs, radiologic images, etc. - that would need
>to be
>downloaded on a regular basis.  It is the nature of the beast that
>researchers put in a great deal of time on weekends and in the
>evenings.
>This is why many research budgets include funds for laptop and other
>portable devices.
>
>The issue, it seems to me, is not a potentially arbitrary decision by
>research administration, but a review of the terms of the grant, and
>what
>is allowable and allocable under those terms.  If an investigator has
>submitted a grant that includes a budget line for internet charges
>for a
>home account, the sponsor has made an award on those terms, and the
>expenditure does not violate the terms under which the grant was
>awarded,
>what would be the justification for disallowing?
>
>
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Stephan Schaffrath
Grants Specialist
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Office of Grants & Sponsored Research
107D Stright Hall
Indiana, PA 15705
(724)357-2167
xxxxxx@iup.edu

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