DOR policy for hard cash contributions to meet mandatory cost sharing
A solicitation which requires cost sharing as part of the application package may include a hard cash match (in addition to in-kind and/or academic time and effort). The maximum hard cash cost share that can be committed by the Division of Research is the lesser of (i) the DOR share of the expected IDC in the grant application budget, or (ii) the total hard cash contribution committed by the departments and/or colleges. Any external cost share cannot be included in the hard cash contribution for (ii). The total UH committed cost share shall not exceed the sponsor-required mandatory cost share.
Example: A grant has $100,000 in IDC. In FY21 DOR received $39,255 of the IDC. If a college committed $20,000 in total hard cash contribution, DOR would limit its share to $20,000 in total hard cash contribution as well. If a college committed $60K in total hard cash contribution, DOR would commit $39,255 in hard cash contribution. Both cases assume that the total committed cost share (cash and non-cash) would not exceed the sponsor-required mandatory cost share.
Example: A Dept. of Energy grant for a $5M project includes a 20% cost share requirement. There are 2 subcontracts ($1M, including $200K cost share, and $500K, including $100K cost share). This leaves a $700K cost share requirement for UH. The expected DOR IDC return is $376K, for a maximum DOR cash contribution of $350K if matched by $350K from the departments/colleges participating in the project. Maximizing faculty time & effort contributions will reduce the cash cost share for both DOR and participating units.
Exceptions:
- Moore Inventor Fellowship: The required $50,000 in institutional cash cost share will be contributed from IDC ($25,000) and DOR ($25,000)
- Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award: The required $5,000 in institutional cash cost share will be contributed from DOR ($2,500) and College ($2,500)