COSSA Lends Support for New F&A Model

COSSA has joined more than 160 national organizations in a letter to House and Senate appropriators expressing support for the work of the Joint Associations Group on Indirect Costs (JAG), specifically its efforts over the last several months to “develop a new, more transparent model for ensuring that institutions’ essential research costs are adequately supported.”

The letter asks appropriators to support these efforts by:

• Including appropriations bill language supporting the work of the JAG and the development and implementation of the FAIR model by the executive branch;
• Blocking any federal agency or OMB action to cap or otherwise change existing negotiated F&A rates until they have worked with the stakeholder community to develop a clear plan for implementation of a new system based on the FAIR model framework;
• Ensuring at least a two-year transition period for agencies and institutions to make the necessary changes to an alternative model; and
• Preserving continued support for F&A expenses at existing levels until the new model is fully implemented.

The letter remains open for additional signatures.