Definitions

Applied Research: Original investigation undertaken in order to acquire new knowledge. It is directed primarily towards a specific, practical aim or objective.  

Basic Research: Experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge of the underlying foundations of phenomena and observable facts, without any particular application or use in view.  

Experimental Development: Systematic work, drawing on knowledge gained from research and practical experience and producing additional knowledge, which is directed to producing new products or processes or to improving existing products or processes.  

Instruction: Consists of instructional program elements operating during the standard academic term (as defined by the institution) that are part of a formal degree or certificate curriculum and are managed by the regular academic departments.  

Public Service: Includes those services established and maintained by the institution to provide services to the general community or special sector within the community. The primary intent of establishing these programs is to provide services that are beneficial to groups and individuals outside of the institution. 

Federal Direct: A proposal submitted directly to a federal agency where UNF is the lead. 

Federal Flow Through Higher Education: A proposal submitted to a federal agency by the way of an institution of higher education where UNF is a subcontractor. 

Federal Flow Through State: A proposal submitted to a federal agency by the way of a State of Florida organization where UNF is a subcontractor. 

Federal Flow Through SUS: A proposal submitted to a federal agency by an institution designated in the State University System where UNF is a subcontractor. 

Federal Flow Through Other: A proposal submitted to a federal agency by a private, non-profit, or local organization where UNF is a subcontractor. 

Industry: A proposal submitted to a private organization. 

Non-Profit: A proposal submitted to an organization with a non-profit status. 

State and Local Government: A proposal submitted to State or local governmental agency in the State of Florida. 

Cost Share represents that portion of a total sponsored project’s costs that are paid from sources other than funds provided by the sponsor. Cost Sharing can be imposed by a sponsor as a condition of award. For budgeting purposes, there are three types of cost share: 1) Cash, 2) In-Kind, and 3) Third Party. Principal investigators should have discussions with chairs or deans prior to committing cost share on a proposal. 

Cash: Cash Cost Sharing represents funds specifically allocated to a sponsored project. Examples of Cash Cost Sharing are salaries and fringe benefits paid to employees who are working on the sponsored project, but which are not invoiced to the sponsor. 

In-Kind: In-Kind Cost Sharing represents the fair market value of non-cash contributions allocated to the sponsored project. Examples of In-Kind Cost Sharing include providing volunteer time or the use of existing equipment or real property during sponsored project performance. 

Third-Party: Third-Party Cost sharing represents Cash Cost Sharing and/or In-Kind Cost Sharing provided by entities other than the University.

Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs) performing work on sponsored projects receive two forms of compensation: 1) stipend and 2) tuition remission:  

1. Stipend: Stipend is typically included on the personnel or salary line of a sponsored project budget.  

• The minimum compensation is $5,000/semester for 20 hours/week of work. If the Graduate Research Assistantship (GRAship) is for fewer than 20 hours/week, the minimum compensation is prorated accordingly. o GRAs may work more than 20 hours/week during the summer semester, with the minimum compensation prorated accordingly. They need not be enrolled unless required to as part of their program curriculum.  
• International students starting their first semester in the summer term can only work up to 20 hours/week. In subsequent summer terms, however, international students are eligible to work more than 20 hours/week.  
• No fringe benefit rate is included in the sponsored project budget if the GRA is enrolled at least half-time.  

1. Tuition:  

In-State Tuition: In-state tuition is typically included on the “other expenses” line of a sponsored project budget. In-state tuition remission is considered a component of a GRA’s compensation package for the work performed on the sponsored project.  

• All proposals should include tuition remission for full-time enrollment by the GRA. This is typically 9 credit hours/semester, unless the GRA’s program curriculum recognizes fewer credit hours for full-time enrollment.  
• In rare cases when a sponsor considers tuition to be an unallowable expense, or when the sponsor requires cost-share in the budget, the GRA may be eligible for tuition waiver with advance written approval from the Graduate School dean. Presently, the waiver is partial, covering 75% of the in-state tuition, and it is a finite resource that is used up well before the fiscal year ends.  
• If the available funding is insufficient to cover in-state tuition, and no in-state waiver is available, then the student should be budgeted as a student assistant employee and not as a GRA. o Fees are not required to be included in the budget, but are highly recommended. Fees can never be waived.  
• Summer tuition and fees need only be included in the budget if summer enrollment is expected by the GRA’s program curriculum.  

Out-of-state Tuition:  Out-of-state tuition (aka, “non-resident tuition” and “out-of-state fee surcharge”) is reduced to $0 for any semester in which the student is employed at least 10 hours/week as a GRA. o Out-of-state tuition should not be included on sponsored project budgets. The foregone out-of-state revenue may be used as cost-share on the sponsored project budget, if cost-share is required by the sponsor. 

New: An application that is submitted for funding for the first time. 

Resubmission: Application previously submitted and reviewed by a sponsor but not funded. The application being submitted for reconsideration addresses reviewer feedback. 

Continuation: An application for a subsequent budget period within a previously approved project and which is not in competition with other application. 

Revision: An application that proposes supplemental funds or changes for an existing award. 

Non-Competing Continuation: Previous years of funding for the project have elapsed. This proposal is non-competing for additional funding to continue the project. 

Academic and Student Affairs is committed to increasing the amount of external funding obtained for faculty research, scholarship, and creativity while also supporting the university’s mission to engage undergraduate and graduate students in these activities. Accordingly, Research Course Release Awards (RCRAs) are available to support faculty engaged in externally funded projects by granting course releases, both to provide additional time to focus on funded work and to demonstrate to sponsors the university’s commitment to the proposed activities. Program Description At the time of proposal submission, RCRAs for course releases will be committed to regular faculty members who serve as either the Principal Investigator (PI) or co-Principal Investigator (co-PI) on an external grant or contract that meets the following conditions:  

1. The funding for the grant or contract is a minimum of $100,000 per year.  

1. The grant or contract returns full facilities and administrative (F&A) costs or, when the F&A rate is lower, generates at least $25,000 per year in recovered F&A or, when the maximum F&A allowed by the sponsor is used.  

1.  The course release commitment is approved by the department Chair, Dean, and Associate VP for Research prior to proposal submission.  

Principal investigators should have discussions with chairs or deans prior to committing a research course release award on a proposal. 

A subaward is a legally binding agreement issued when a substantive portion of the sponsored project will be performed by another entity. As applicable, documentation is required from subrecipients to be identified on a sponsored project: 

• Statement of Work 
• Letter of Intent/Commitment 

• Budget 
• Budget Justification 
• Bio-Sketch  
• Current and Pending Support 
• Collaborative and Other Affiliations 

• Data Management Plan 
• Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources 
• Organization’s F&A Rate Agreement 
• Subrecipient Compliance Form