Research Overhead Procedure Training
Research Toolbox
Research Overhead
Under the University’s Overhead Policy, UCalgary recovers indirect costs on research projects, if permitted by the sponsor, in the form of overhead. Overhead includes costs absorbed by institutions including:
- facilities operation,
- finance and human resources,
- libraries and cultural resources,
- information technology,
- and research services.
A review of the published overhead rates charged by other U15 institutions found that UCalgary is below the national average when assessing overhead on industry-related research projects.
The University of Toronto calculates the indirect cost burden to be just over 61%, which produces a significant gap relative to the approximately 20% indirect cost coverage provided by the Federal Government Research Support Fund.
UCalgary’s previous overhead rates are unsustainable at 25%. Even at an increased rate of 40%, the full indirect costs for research are not covered by collected overhead.
Note: The Research Overhead Procedure changed as of September 2024 to reflect rates established by comparable U15 institutions. Learn More
NOTES:
Access requires a UCalgary email address.
Safari is not recommended as a browser for viewing the training video.
Rate Details
The overhead rate for industry-funded research projects has increased from 25% to 40% to reflect similar rates at comparable institutions.
Note:
For public sector and not-for-profit payors, UCalgary will maintain its current 25% overhead rate. This recommendation is similarly based on alignment with the majority of U15 institutions.
Clinical trials remain at 30%, which is consistent with the national average.
Overhead on leveraged/match funding provided through other tri-agency programs such as the NSERC Alliance Program, is exempt at this time as UCalgary continues to explore this with other U15 institutions.
The following table reflects the new overhead rates across comparable U15 institutions:
Training Module and Validation Quiz
The Research Overhead Procedure training module consists of a self-directed, narrated video followed by a short, 5-question quiz.
The quiz is intended to validate researchers have reviewed and understand the importance of assessing and budgeting for the correct overhead in proposals.
The full training should only take approximately 30 mins to complete.
Principal Investigators are encouraged to complete the training and quiz in order to receive legal review for agreements.
Research staff and leadership are also encouraged to complete the training to best support their teams.
Notes:
You must use a UCalgary email address to access the training video.
Safari is not recommended as a browser. Chrome or Firefox are more stable.
Resources
Information Document
View a pdf reference document outlining the Research Overhead Procedure updates.
Download: Research Overhead Procedure Updates Information Package
Legal Services - Policies and Procedures
Research Overhead Procedure
The purpose of this procedure is to set out the process for recovering Overhead from Research Projects. This procedure applies to University employees and others who conduct research activities or approve research budgets or research agreements under the auspices of the University.
Review: Research Overhead Procedure
Research Overhead Policy
The purpose of the policy is:
- to recognize the significant cost of conducting research and providing research-related analysis and technical services;
- to ensure the proper accounting of direct costs in research projects; and
- to provide a mechanism for the University to recover indirect costs through established
Review: Research Overhead Policy
Contact
For faculties conducting research under CSM:
csmlegal@ucalgary.ca
For all other faculties:
legaladm@ucalgary.ca