I am the culprit at the recent conference that Michelle referred to concerning my comments on funding for centers and institutes.  Yesterday Meg Cantwell at Grants Resource Center made me aware of this discussion, so I joined just your list.

At Ohio University, centers and institutes often receive no startup funds, although sometimes there is one-time money (e.g., from operating funds, a foundation, etc.) to get the ball rolling.  Usually, they grow up from grass root initiatives of individuals who want to band together for a common purpose.  There is a formal application process to start a new center or institute that requires approval by the university's Board of Trustees.  This step is usually sufficient to prevent the formation of virtual (in name only) centers.  Also, there is an ongoing five-year review process that weeds out centers that are not productive.

Regardless of how the center starts (with or without initial funding), the critical issue is sustainability.  At Ohio University, most centers are expected to be self-supporting.  This is accomplished by funneling money back to the centers from grant indirects.  For awards made to Ohio University that were submitted through a center or institute, the F&A revenues are distributed as follows:

14% - Principal Investigator
7% - Department
30% - Center
14% - College
35% - Vice President for Research

This provides the PI and center with almost half of the F&A, and has allowed some centers here to grow and prosper, while others die on the vine.  At least it provides a mechanism by which faculty can sustain and grow programs over the long haul.  We have an Avionics center here that has been operating for over 30 years, bringing in $5-10M per year in federal funds.  This funding mechanism is a magnet for productive faculty to team up and do much more than they would be able to accomplish as individuals.  It does require, however, that the university is willing to give up F&A income that would otherwise go into the general coffers.

Let me make it clear that I was not advocating the creation of bogus in-name-only centers and institutes as a way to impress granting agencies.

Cheers,
Jack Blazyk, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Research & Grants and Professor of Biochemistry
Office of Research & Grants
Grosvenor Hall, Room 232
1 Ohio University
Athens, OH  45701-2979
TEL:  740-593-2331
FAX: 740-593-2320

======================================================================
 Instructions on how to use the RESADM-L Mailing List, including
 subscription information and a web-searchable archive, are available
 via our web site at http://www.healthresearch.org (click on the
 "LISTSERV" link in the upper right corner)

 A link directly to helpful tips:  http://tinyurl.com/resadm-l-help
======================================================================