Hi there,

I have a question regarding the so called “interrelationship rule” when allocating costs among two or more projects/activities when the proportion of benefit cannot be determined due to the interrelationship of the work involved. I’m interested in hearing from institutions which have formalized this decision-making process. For example, do you require PIs in advance of charging such expenses to document why the projects are interrelated (which you would then have on file for the life of the projects)? Would they have to identify in advance the cost allocation method they plan to use in these scenarios (to be used for the duration of the project), or would this be an as you go determination based each time they charge an expense (for example, could they use an FTE basis for one expense, and then use a PI effort for another expense)? Lastly, I would be interested in seeing any forms or processes that your institution may have developed to assist with making these determinations.

Feel free to respond here or offline, thanks!

Nicole Whetstine, MNM, CRA
Grant Administrator
Office of Sponsored Research Administration
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
(386) 226-6451
xxxxxx@erau.edu

= = = = = =

 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
 "RESADM-L" link under "Sponsored Programs").

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

= = = = = =