We also have a 5 year fringe estimate at Washington University that is programmed into our grant prep software at the beginning of every fiscal year so that all of our departments are using the same estimates when preparing budgets. We provide the estimate tables to sponsors when they ask for it, and I don't think we've ever had any further push-back.  If we were to override the fringe calculations in our proposed budgets, our central grants office would question it and most likely not allow it since it would not be consistent with other proposals.

Matt Carril, Project Manager
Washington University School of Medicine
Department of Neurology
Phone: (314) 362.3971 | Fax: (314) 362.2596
Email: xxxxxx@neuro.wustl.edu

-----Original Message-----
From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@lists.healthresearch.org] On Behalf Of Susan E Morris
Sent: Friday, August 19, 2011 4:25 PM
To: xxxxxx@lists.healthresearch.org
Subject: Re: [RESADM-L] Inflation of Fringe Benefits in Proposed Budget

Northwestern's budget office provides a 5-year projected rate table each time the negotiated rate changes. These provisional rates are based on historical trends and anticipated changes in the coming years. They ensure that we are being consistent in proposals submitted across the university, as well as providing our best estimate as to the actual costs we'll be charging to the projects. Most sponsors accept this practice without question.

A link to our current memo and other information about our rates are available at http://www.research.northwestern.edu/osr/fringe.html.

Susan

-----Original Message-----
From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@lists.healthresearch.org] On Behalf Of Terri Fayle
Sent: Friday, August 19, 2011 3:26 PM
To: xxxxxx@lists.healthresearch.org
Subject: [RESADM-L] Inflation of Fringe Benefits in Proposed Budget

All,

I'd be interested to hear your comments regarding inflation of fringe benefits while creating a proposal budget.  My institution uses a published estimated rate for certain employee classes.  But when the charges actually hit the grant budget, it is the actual amount of charges for that employee, so in most cases different than what was proposed.

Typically, no inflation is applied to fringes when creating multiple year budgets.  Since I'm new here, I did!  It has been suggested that I cannot inflate fringes because I am being inconsistent with the institutional published estimated rate.  I say poppycock!  I used the published estimated rate and added a bit!  That's what you do to protect your investigators budget.

What say you??

Terri L. Fayle
Senior Grant Specialist
K-State Research & Extension Proposal Services Waters Hall 105C Kansas State University Manhattan, KS 66506-4008 xxxxxx@k-state.edu

Voice 785-532-7255
FAX 785-532-5549
Cell 660-238-7165

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