Rate Agreements

Rate agreements are formal documents that establish the negotiated rates between an institution and the federal government or other funding entities.

These rates are used to calculate the indirect costs (also known as Facilities & Administrative costs) and fringe benefits associated with research grants, contracts, and other sponsored projects. They ensure that the institution recovers the appropriate portion of overhead costs incurred in support of sponsored research and activities. Regularly updated to reflect current conditions, these agreements are critical for accurate budgeting and financial reporting in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Use the links below to navigate to specific rate agreements sections and associated tables:

Facilities & Administrative Cost Rates

The Facilities & Administrative Cost Rates table presents essential rate information for Organized Research, Instruction, and Other Sponsored Activity.

Year Organized Research Instruction Other Sponsored Activity
  On Off* On Off* On Off*
FY29
58.00% 26.00% 52.50% 26.00% 33.00% 26.00%
FY28
58.00% 26.00% 52.50% 26.00% 33.00% 26.00%
FY27
58.00% 26.00% 52.50% 26.00% 33.00% 26.00%
FY26
58.00% 26.00% 52.50% 26.00% 33.00% 26.00%
FY25 56.50% 26.00% 53.00% 26.00% 32.00% 26.00%
FY24 56.50% 26.00% 53.00% 26.00% 32.00% 26.00%
FY23 56.50% 26.00% 53.00% 26.00% 32.00% 26.00%
FY22 56.50% 26.00% 53.00% 26.00% 32.00% 26.00%
FY21 56.50% 26.00% 53.00% 26.00% 32.00% 26.00%
FY20 54.50% 26.00% 52.00% 26.00% 30.00% 26.00%
FY19 54.50% 26.00% 52.00% 26.00% 30.00% 26.00%
FY18 54.50% 26.00% 52.00% 26.00% 30.00% 26.00%
FY17 54.50% 26.00% 52.00% 26.00% 30.00% 26.00%
FY16 54.50% 26.00% 52.00% 26.00% 30.00% 26.00%
FY15 52.00% 26.00% 52.00% 26.00% 29.00% 26.00%
FY14 52.00% 26.00% 52.00% 26.00% 29.00% 26.00%
FY13 52.00% 26.00% 52.00% 26.00% 29.00% 26.00%
FY12 52.00% 26.00% 52.00% 26.00% 29.00% 26.00%
FY11 50.00% 26.00% 52.00% 26.00% 28.00% 26.00%
FY10 50.00% 26.00% 52.00% 26.00% 28.00% 26.00%
FY09 50.00% 26.00% 52.00% 26.00% 28.00% 26.00%
FY08 50.00% 26.00% 52.00% 26.00% 28.00% 26.00%
FY07 50.00% 26.00% 50.00% 26.00% NA NA
FY06 50.00% 26.00% 50.00% 26.00% NA NA
FY05 50.00% 26.00% 50.00% 26.00% NA NA
FY04 50.00% 26.00% 50.00% 26.00% NA NA
FY03 48.50% 26.00% 50.00% 26.00% NA NA
FY02 49.00% 26.00% 50.00% 26.00% NA NA
FY01 49.00% 26.00% 50.00% 26.00% NA NA
FY00 48.50% 26.00% 50.00% 26.00% NA NA

*Off-Campus Definition: For all activities performed in facilities not owned by the institution and to which rent is directly allocated to the project(s). Actual costs will be apportioned between on-campus and off-campus components. Each portion will bear the appropriate rate.

Fringe Benefit Rates

The Fringe Benefit Rates table outlines the different rates applicable to various university personnel, including Full-Time Faculty, Part-Time Employees, Post-Docs, Graduate and Undergraduate Students, Exempt and Non-Exempt Staff, as well as Non-Regular/Temporary Staff.

Year FT Faculty PT Employees Post Docs Graduate Students Undergrad. Students Exempt Staff Non-Exempt Staff Non-Reg/Temp Staff
FY27* 26.20% 13.00% 21.10% 11.10% 1.60% 30.80% 41.90% 7.10%
FY26
24.90% 12.60% 20.70% 11.80% 1.60% 29.20% 41.20% 7.30%
FY25 24.90% 12.60% 21.50% 13.50% 1.60% 29.50% 43.80% 7.50%
FY24 24.60% 12.50% 22.90% 10.60% 1.60% 30.60% 46.60% 7.30%
FY23 26.20% 13.00% 24.40% 10.30% 1.70% 32.60% 49.60% 7.40%
FY22 26.90% 12.20% 24.70% 10.80% 1.70% 33.60% 50.80% 7.30%
FY21 26.90% 10.20% 23.10% 9.00% 2.00% 33.10% 49.30% 7.40%
FY20 28.30% 15.50% 24.60% 9.50% 1.90% 35.80% 52.30% 6.30%
FY19 25.90% 17.60% 24.40% 8.70% 1.60% 31.60% 47.70% 7.50%
FY18 24.80% 16.20% 24.70% 9.40% 1.40% 30.30% 45.10% 7.60%
FY17 26.10% 17.20% 27.80% 9.30% 1.60% 31.00% 50.10% 7.90%
FY16 27.10% 17.00% 26.60% 8.10% 1.50% 33.00% 53.80% 8.10%
FY15 26.90% 16.60% 24.10% 6.30% 1.70% 32.60% 50.50% 8.10%
 FY14 26.70% 16.90% 23.30% 6.70% 2.00% 31.00% 48.90% 7.90%
 FY13 25.00% 15.30% 19.40% 5.50% 1.40% 27.80% 41.70% 7.60%

* FY27 rates have been submitted but not approved yet. HHS Cost Allocation Services has given us permission to use the submitted rates with the understanding that any adjustments identified during the review process will be incorporated into future fixed rates.

Rate Agreement Documents

Explore our collection of Rate Agreement documents. Below you will find agreements for the current year as well as previous periods, which may apply to ongoing or older awards.