What are indirect costs (or overhead)?

Indirect costs are also commonly referred to as overhead, facilities and administrative costs (F&A), IDC, or indirects. Charging assessments on gifts and allocating indirect costs on grants enable FAS and SEAS to recoup a portion of the overhead costs associated with externally funded activities and the reimbursement of these costs provides FAS and SEAS with a source of revenue to reinvest in its infrastructure, which, in turn, supports the academic pursuits of our faculty. More information on current federal rates, as well as the FAS/SEAS policy regarding sponsors that do not cover the required minimum 15% overhead, can be found here