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Research reimbursement rate to increase 4.5 percent

A successful negotiation with the federal government will net the University of Kansas an initial 4.5 percent increase in the amount of money the government will reimburse the university for costs associated with federally funded research.

The increase is the first in four years and covers “indirect costs” — research facility construction and maintenance, utilities, libraries and research administration and accounting — that the university incurs to complete research projects. Reimbursement rates vary widely from institution to institution and are generally much higher at private universities than at public universities.

In the previous fiscal year, KU received $21.4 million in reimbursements, which are reinvested to support existing and new research facilities. KU faculty members were awarded $130.5 million in federal research grants in fiscal year 2006.

KU reinvests reimbursement funds to pay for needed research facilities and other needs, said Jim Roberts, vice provost for research and graduate studies.

The reimbursement rate will rise from 44 percent to 46 percent and be applicable to all new grant proposals submitted from the Lawrence campus after July 1. In addition, the rate will increase a half point in 2010 and another half a point in 2011. The new rate was negotiated with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services following an intense and lengthy cost analysis study and campus visit.

Roberts thanked KU Comptroller Diane Goddard, her staff and staff in the research office for completing the negotiations. “They worked hard to prepare a strong proposal and handle the final negotiations. I appreciate everything they did,” he said.

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KU grad Cynthia Leitich Smith has become a well-known writer in and around Austin, Texas. The Library of Congress recently announced she is among 70 writers chosen to participate in the seventh annual National Book Festival. Smith has written several books for young readers. She graduated from KU and the University of Michigan Law School. She won the 2001 Wordcraft Circle Award for children's literature, but her latest novel, "Tantalize," is a dark fantasy.