Cost-Sharing Program | Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research | SIU

The goal of this program, administered by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, is to further promote research and scholarly/creative activity on campus by increasing the University's commitment to providing matching funds for external grants. It is intended to support principal investigators who are pursuing external funding that requires or would be enhanced by a commitment of matching funds.

Guidelines: In all cases, principal investigators should first approach their department or unit (research center, etc.) and then their dean for matching fund commitments. Proposals with partial matching fund commitments from these and/or other sources are more likely to gain additional matching funds from the Vice Chancellor for Research. Proposals that are budgeted fully for the University's federally negotiated indirect cost rate are more likely to gain a matching funds commitment from the VCR.

The following types of requests for matching funds will be accepted:

• Requests for proposals for basic or applied research submitted to open, competitive, merit-reviewed federal programs where matching funds are required as an indication of institutional commitment. This priority was established in part to encourage pursuit of more competitive federal grant funding.
• Requests where a matching fund commitment will enhance the merit and impact of the proposed project and thus positively influence the funding decision.

Planning Considerations:

To minimize problems, matching funds requests should be completed at least 1 business week in advance of the proposal due date to ensure that the VCR is on campus prior to the due date and to allow time for negotiation.  Procedures and considerations for requesting matching funds are as follows:

• Contact your OSPA project specialist to assist in development of a budget and for guidance on preparing a matching funds request.
• Matching funds should emphasize equipment lines, if at all possible.
• Request matching funds from department chairs/heads of units, and deans.
  • Complete the Request for Cost Share and e-mail the request to the Office of Sponsored Projects at ospa@siu.edu.
• Depending on schedules, it may take several days for OSPA and the VCR to review and negotiate the amount of matching dollars available.
• After the VCR has signed the request form, you will receive an email confirmation with a copy of the request.
• Any cash match (e.g., for equipment or for non-key personnel such as GAs and researchers) from the VCR or other SIUC units must be indicated on the Proposal/Award Checklist. In addition, if the match item does not appear in the budget, it must be cited in the budget justification or the proposal narrative, generally the resources page. (Check the program guidelines; some agencies, such as NIH, don't want to see matching funds in the budget.) The grant's matching funds could be rescinded if you do not meet this requirement.