Indirect Cost Policy

1. Purpose

The Daniel W. Offit Fund to Fight Glioblastoma is committed to ensuring that the maximum possible portion of every dollar granted advances research, clinical care, caregiver support, and translational programs that directly benefit patients and families facing glioblastoma.

This policy establishes the Fund’s standard limitation on indirect costs—also referred to as overhead, administrative, or facilities and administrative (F&A) costs—applied to grants and awards funded by the Fund.

2. Policy Statement

As a matter of standing policy, indirect costs charged against any grant, gift, or contribution made by the Fund shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of total direct costs of the funded program, project, or activity.

• Maximum Rate: This 10% limit represents the maximum indirect cost rate the Fund will support.

• Prior Approval: No grantee, institution, or recipient organization may apply an indirect or overhead rate in excess of 10% without express prior written approval from the Fund.

3. Key Definitions

• Direct Costs: Expenses that can be specifically and directly identified with the funded program or project. Examples include personnel salaries and benefits for project staff (e.g., nursing and social work positions), program supplies, participant-related costs, and other expenses incurred strictly in carrying out the funded activity.

• Indirect Costs: Costs incurred for common or shared organizational purposes that are not readily attributable to a single specific project. Examples include general administration, facilities, utilities, institutional overhead, and executive management. These expenses are subject to the 10% cap.

4. Application

This policy applies to all grants, gifts, sponsored programs, and charitable contributions provided by the Fund to any recipient organization, including:

• Academic medical centers and hospitals

• Universities and colleges

• Research institutions

• Non-profit organizations

All funding proposals, budgets, and agreement drafts submitted to or executed by the Fund must reflect an indirect cost rate at or below 10%, calculated on total direct costs.

5. Exception Requests

The Fund recognizes that, in limited circumstances, a recipient institution may request an exception to this policy. Any requested exception must be:

1. Submitted in Writing: Accompanied by a detailed written justification explaining the necessity of the higher rate.

2. Approved in Advance: Expressly reviewed and approved in writing by the Fund’s Director or governing board prior to award execution.

3. Formally Documented: Explicitly stipulated in the executed gift or grant agreement.

Note: Absent prior written approval, the 10% cap strictly governs, and any indirect charges exceeding 10% will be disallowed and omitted from reimbursement.

6. Compliance and Verification

The Fund reserves the right to request detailed budgets, financial reports, and supporting documentation from recipient institutions to confirm full compliance with this policy. Disbursement of funding may be conditioned upon the recipient's written agreement to abide by these indirect cost limitations.

7. Governance and Inquiries

This policy has been formally adopted by the Daniel W. Offit Fund to Fight Glioblastoma and may be amended only by the Fund’s Director or governing board.