Cost sharing in research occurs when sponsored research agreements do not fully reimburse the institution for the costs of a research project. The types of cost sharing that may occur in research are:
Mandatory Cost Sharing - cost sharing required by a sponsoring agency as a condition of support. It is a binding obligation of the University if an award is made.
Voluntary Committed Cost Sharing - cost sharing offered in a grant proposal and documented in the budget. It is a binding obligation of the University if an award is made.
Voluntary Uncommitted Cost Sharing - cost sharing that is not documented in the budget. It contributed after an award is made, but is not a binding obligation of the University.
The University generally approves cost sharing only when it is required by sponsors and when the research is of sufficient potential and/or quality to warrant the commitment of university resources. Voluntary cost sharing must be documented in the Review and Approval Form, and is an exception that must be approved by the Executive Vice President for Research.
