Friends,

I need to make a decision on appropriate F&A rates for a proposal given the
following scenario, and I would appreciate your feedback:
A researcher (plant systematics) is proposing a project (2 years) in which
he will spend a considerable amount of time (aggregate 5 months in periods
as long as 2 months and as short as 2 days) in the field collecting
specimens and data.  These specimens and data are brought back to campus and
worked with in the laboratory.
What is the appropriate F&A rate to charge for the field expenses?  Should
it be the on-campus rate (since the work is based on campus and the trip
planning and analyses are done on campus), or should it be the off-campus
rate?

If the off-campus rate is deemed appropriate, how does this differ from the
situation where a researcher travels to a meeting for a week, and presents a
paper on their research?  Would this activity also fall under the off-campus
rate?

I understand that under the federal guidance, we must properly apportion
rates between on and off campus activities, even within a single project,
but I am not certain where to draw the line.  I am interested in any
references to a regulation pertaining to this issue, institutional policies
that you may have developed, or opinions that you may wish to convey.

Thank you for any and all responses.

Michael J. Warnock, Director
Sponsored Program Administration
University of Missouri - Columbia
310 Jesse Hall
Columbia, MO  65211
ph. 573-882-4329       fax 573-884-4078

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