For Researchers
Cost Share FAQs
What kinds of funds may be used for cost sharing?
Sources for cost sharing may include faculty and staff salary, wages, funds from start-up packages, third party donations, department and college level funds, indirect cost returns, or other campus discretionary funds. Funds from other sponsored projects typically may not be used as a source of cost share. For more information see the ISU Policy on Cost Share for Sponsored Programs and related FAQ.
If I cost share a portion of my salary, do I also include the corresponding fringe benefits as cost share?
Yes. Always include fringe benefits on any cost shared salaries or wages.
Can I include costs incurred outside of the proposed project start and end dates as cost sharing?
No. Just as an award’s expenses must be incurred during the project’s period of performance, so do the cost shared expenses.
If the project is funded, do I need to track the cost sharing?
For more information regarding cost share, please refer to the SPA website.
My award is less than my original budget request. Is the difference between the award and original proposal budget now considered cost share?
No. If a sponsor awards less than was requested in the proposed budget, OSPA/OIPTT will work with the PI and the sponsor to negotiate an appropriate reduction in the scope of work and/or develop a revised budget. If the original proposal included cost sharing, the cost share amount also should be reduced proportionally to align with the smaller award total and revised scope of work.
If a cost is an unallowable expense for budgeting purposes, could it then be used for cost-share purposes?
No. If a cost is unallowable for sponsor budgeting purposes, it cannot be counted towards cost-share commitments either. For example, alcoholic beverages are not allowed on federal funds. Since alcoholic beverages are not permitted on federal funds, a PI could not use budget cost-share for alcoholic beverages and meet cost-share requirements.
