Recent Changes to Fringe Benefit Structure Effect Proposal Budgets

Two changes in fringe-benefit structure have recently been announced by the university.  The following information will provide guidance for including these changes in grant- proposal budgets.

President Todd announced that beginning in FY 2002-2003 the university contribution to the health insurance benefit would depend on the type of plan chosen by the employee http://www.uky.edu/HealthBenefits/pres_022502.html .  Previously, the university contribution has been the same regardless of the plan.  The institutional contributions for FY 2002-2003 range from $249 (single) to $365 (family).  (See the president’s letter for a complete breakdown.)  When preparing a proposal budget, whenever possible use the contribution amount for the actual plan to be chosen by the employee.  When that is not possible, for instance when the position is proposed as “To Be Named,” use the highest amount of $365.  We also recommend including $3 per month for each employee to cover life insurance. Escalate total salaries by about 4 percent and health benefits by 10 percent in each subsequent year of the proposed budget. The other fringe benefits will increase as a percent of salaries.

The second change is the addition of a rate to cover a variety of benefits. The benefits are not new (e.g., workers’ compensation, unemployment), but they have not previously been charged to grants and other sources. According to the Office of Planning and Budget, the rates for FY 2002-2003 are: faculty 3.0 percent, full-time staff 3.6 percent, “other” (e.g., part-time staff, postdoctorals, students) 1.0 percent.  This benefit should be labeled “Other Fringe Benefits” in the budget.  Continue to include budget for Retirement (10 percent) and FICA (7.65 percent) as usual.  Also, include $584 for the graduate student health benefit.

For further guidance on proposal budget preparation, see the Office of Sponsored Projects Administration website http://www.rgs.uky.edu/ospa/.  If you have questions about this announcement or any other proposal budget questions, please contact OSPA at 7-9420.

NIH Certificates of Confidentiality

Certificates of Confidentiality are issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to protect identifiable research information from forced disclosure. Theses certificates allow the investigator and others who have access to research records to refuse to disclose identifying information on research participants in any civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or other proceeding, whether at the federal, state, or local level. Certificates of Confidentiality may be granted for studies collecting information that if disclosed could have adverse consequences for subjects or damage their financial standing, employability, insurability, or reputation. By protecting researchers and institutions from being compelled to disclose information that would identify research subjects, Certificates of Confidentiality help achieve the research objectives and promote participation in studies by assuring confidentiality and privacy to participants. 

Certificates constitute an important tool to protect the privacy of research study participants. Thus, NIH would like to encourage their appropriate use. NIH is making information widely available to investigators working on sensitive biomedical, behavioral, clinical or other types of research. 

Information on Certificates of Confidentiality is now available on the NIH web site at the CoC Kiosk at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/coc/index.htm.  The Kiosk includes background information on Certificates, application instructions for extramural and intramural investigators, frequently asked questions, information on communicable- disease reporting policy, and a list of contacts.  For further information, please see the list of contacts at NIH Institutes and Centers at the CoC Kiosk.  

SPD Announces New Subject Mailing Lists for
Bioterrorism and Security Research

As federal agencies have expanded their research focus in recent months to include major initiatives on bioterrorism and security infrastructure, program officers indicate that grant opportunities in these areas are increasingly expected to feature prominently in the future.  Investigators who wish to be alerted of agency solicitations for bioterrorism and security research may sign up for two new subject mailing lists created by the Office of Sponsored Program Development (SPD).  Any funding announcements from sources such as FedBiz Opps, the Federal Register, and the HIH Guide for Grants and Contracts featuring the key word “bioterrorism” or “security” will be disseminated to members of the pertinent list.  To sign up for these or any other general subject lists, please access the SPD homepage at http://www.rgs.uky.edu/spd/home.htm, and select Electronic Mailing Lists.  For additional information on specific areas of research that fall under these initiatives, contact Kathy Grzech, 257-5271, kdgrze2@uky.edu.