Indirect Expenses: Jargon

Total Direct Costs�

Exactly what it sounds like. �The total expenditures directly related to project.

Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC) These are the Total Direct Costs minus certain exemptions. (a lot of exemptions, really.) For example:

• Equipment purchases
• Capital Expenditures
• Rental Costs: Offices, Laboratories
• Scholarships and Fellowships

Note that just because the above items are excluded doesn't mean that the grant doesn't pay for these...that is the whole purpose of accounting for indirect.�

Facilities and Administration Costs (F&A) �Just another name for indirect costs.�

Bids and Proposals (B&P) These are costs related to the preparation of bids and proposals. This is not to be underestimated; I've related elsewhere how the preparation of grant proposals can run into considerable time.�

Independent Research and Development (IRAD) This refers to additional R&D that is being pursued outside of the scope of a funded project. This relates especially to National Science Foundation projects. �IRAD is unallowable...that is, NSF will not fund IRAD as either a direct or an indirect cost. Same with NIH. However, other government agencies will allow IRAD as an indirect cost. According to Russ Farmer, high-tech companies will typically allocate 10-15% of their revenue to IRAD.�

Unallowable �Unallowable is an expenditure which is cannot be funded either directly or indirectly by a award. There is a�famous list; my favorite is alcoholic beverages. �