Equipment Cost Sharing
Some sponsors require and others view positively an institution's willingness to share in the cost of large equipment purchases. As part of its effort to enhance the research infrastructure at the university, the Office of Research will contribute a portion of the institutional contribution to equipment costs if both of the following conditions are met:
- The total institutional share is no more than 30 percent of the cost of the equipment (up to 50 percent if required by written program guidelines).
- The Office of Research share is no more than one-third of the total institutional cash contribution (the other two-thirds normally come from department and college funds).
Requests for equipment matching funds from the Office of Research must be approved prior to proposal submission. If the "Authorization to Seek Off Campus Funding" (PA-005) form indicates department and/or college contributions that meet the above guidelines, sponsored program officers can approve or obtain approval for the Office of Research contribution and arrange for appropriate documentation. Some programs, particularly those that support the purchase of large pieces of equipment or facility development, require a substantial institutional contribution. The Ohio Board of Regents (OBOR) Action Fund may provide part of the required matching funds for these major projects. A specific timetable and set of guidelines must be followed to apply for OBOR funds. For access to OBOR funds, contact the Office of Research, (614) 292-1582, at least six weeks before the proposal deadline.
If a proposal is eligible for OBOR funds but the principal investigator fails to make a timely request, the Office of Research will withhold the funds it would have contributed.