Facility & Administrative Costs (F&A Costs)

The federal code of regulations defines Facility & Administrative (F&A) costs as “those costs incurred for a common or joint purpose benefiting more than one cost objective, and not readily assignable to the cost objectives…” F&A was previously called "indirect costs," and is to be applied to all grants, contracts, and other agreements with federal, state, and private entities.

Periodically, the University of New Orleans negotiates its Federal F&A Rate Agreement through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The current agreement is effective from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2026. The rates shall be enforced until amended by further negotiation. The approved rates are:

F&A costs are calculated on all direct expenses except: equipment, fellowships, scholarships, tuition, off-site facility rental costs, and the portion of subgrants or subcontracts in excess of $25,000.

Some, but not all, U.S. Department of Education and Louisiana Department of Education Teacher Training grants have a mandatory 8% F&A cap. If the terms for F&A rates are quoted in the literature of the funding agency or the private foundation funding source, attach this documentation to your proposal routing form. Negotiated rates which are less than UNO's federally negotiated rate must be submitted for the approval of the Executive Director for Research & Economic Development and must have sufficient written documentation from the sponsor to support the request for the university to use a reduced F&A rate.

For more information about how the University of New Orleans uses F&A costs, visit the Office of Research FAQ page.