Research
One of the key objectives in applying for operational funding is to cover the costs of developing and conducting research studies, engaging in quality improvement studies, monitoring and evaluating the implementation and delivery of interventions, and supporting surveillance. The funding requested needs to be sufficient to cover all incurred costs, including both direct and indirect costs. While direct costs are included in research and project budgets by researchers, indirect costs are hidden costs incurred by the University, Faculty, Departments and research institutes that allow us to execute studies. These include the costs of buildings, maintenance, electronic systems (e.g., servers, software, data platforms, secure research environments), libraries, and personnel who support human resources needs, finance and the operations of the University.
For research studies funded by the Tri-Council Agencies (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC), the University receives an indirect cost recovery for these funds through the federal Research Support Program, of approximately 35% of the total funded budget (e.g., a $1M CIHR research grant budget provides the University with $350,000 of additional funding to cover indirect costs). For research funded by Industry, the University receives 40% of the total direct costs in indirect funding. For research funded by government and non-profits the indirect costs recover rate is 25%. A portion of indirect costs of research flows to the DEM.
Non-Research Grants and Contracts
The University also incurs indirect costs for non-research grants and contracts (e.g., quality improvement grants, implementation of new health innovations). However, the indirect costs of non-research funding is not specified. To ensure the sustainability and growth of Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM), funding obtained for non-research projects needs to include a provision for indirect costs. An overhead allowance of 10% of all direct costs must be included in the budget. In addition, non-research activities need to include an academic buy-out of the Faculty Member’s academic time spent conducting the specific activities.
This policy applies to non-research grants and contracts, workshops, courses, and other activities not covered under the Faculty of Medicine Indirect Costs of Research Policy.
By including an academic buy-out and overhead allowance in the budget of non-research activities within the DEM, you will be contributing to the development, sustainability and growth of the Department of Emergency Medicine.