Is it true that only direct cost are shown on the cost sharing account status reports, unlike the sponsored accounts status reports which show both direct and indirect costs and, if so, how does the indirect cost get reported to the sponsor?

Yes, only direct costs are reflected on general cost sharing accounts as is true for all general funds. The Post Award Accounting Department will calculate and report the associated indirect costs to the sponsor, as required.

How are third party cost sharing contributions recorded and reported?

Third party cost sharing contributions are not recorded in the University's accounting records. These costs would be recorded in the respective third party's accounting records. Third parties are required to report to the University their cost sharing (both direct and indirect, as appropriate), which in turn will be reported to the University's sponsors. As examples, a subcontractor's cost sharing contribution would be reported along with its sponsored expenditures on quarterly and final financial reports which are reviewed by the benefiting University department before being forwarded to the Post Award Accounting Department for reporting to the sponsors. When third parties other than subcontractors volunteer to participate and incur cost sharing expenditures, they will be asked to provide to your department certification statements regarding those costs, which should be forwarded to the Post Award Accounting Department to be included in reports to the sponsors. In summary, third party cost sharing is not recorded in University accounting records but is reported to the sponsor.

Who is responsible for meeting the cost sharing commitments for a sponsored project?

The principal investigator/department is responsible for making sure that all cost sharing commitments, including those offered by a third party, are met. This could involve coordinating with collaborating University departments to ensure their cost sharing commitments are being met as well as the review and follow-up with third parties regarding cost sharing commitments they may have offered toward a project during the proposal process.

Why can't I claim as cost sharing in a current sponsored project budget a piece of equipment in my lab which was purchased by the University several years ago?

The University's negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement includes all appropriate equipment costs in the indirect cost rates. Therefore, it is assumed that all equipment purchased prior to the project period begin date is included in the indirect cost rate (recovered from the sponsor or claimed as unrecovered indirect cost sharing). Only equipment items proposed for purchase within the awarded project period can be claimed as direct cost sharing.