Most public funders of research have rules that the University must comply with if it wishes to proceed with a piece of funded research. For example below is some guidance on standard funder rules. Please note, however, that Funders may change their guidance for specific calls and therefore R&IS will always consult individual call guidance when costing proposals:

• Research Councils expect cost estimates that have been prepared exactly in accordance with fEC guidance and will pay a set percentage of this price (currently set at 80% of fEC)
• NIHR: expect cost estimates that have been prepared exactly in accordance with fEC guidance and will pay a set percentage of this price (currently set at either 80% of fEC or 100% Direct costs depending on the scheme)
• Charities and EU – these funders maintain their own set of rules about the eligibility of the costs that are submitted and the price paid will depend on those rules. Typically, charities will pay 100% of direct costs but will not cover overhead costs. Current EU rules, governing Horizon 2020 cover 100% of R&D direct costs plus a flat 25% overhead.
• UK Central Government including government departments, local authorities, health and hospital authorities, non-departmental public bodies and other organisations financed from central government funds, unless stated otherwise in their funding rules should generally pay a price set at 100% of FEC.

Departments should ensure that costings are robust and offer maximum sustainability, taking into account cost recovery on the grant and ensuring that the proportion of staff and non-costs is appropriate for size and complexity of the research project.

No Funder Rules

The University will at all times comply with funder rules on research projects that it wishes to pursue with a particular funder. In the rare cases that a public or charity funder of research does not have stipulated conditions for cost recovery, the University would expect the Department to recover the Full Economic Cost of the research. Any proposals not to do should be referred to the Director of Research & Impact Services and/or the Group Finance Director.