Salary, Effort and Fringe

Salary and benefits are the largest categories of direct costs on sponsored projects.

Effort Reporting

The principal investigator (PI) is responsible for reviewing how effort is allocated to sponsored projects. Percentages of effort charged to a project are validated and certified by the PI through effort reporting. A research project should be charged with a portion of each employee's salary that is equal to the portion of time or effort devoted directly to that project.

Summer Salary

Salary may be applied to grants based on appointment type, sponsor guidelines and the GW Faculty Handbook. Some sponsors will provide compensation to faculty members with nine-month salary bases during summer months at their regular university salary rates, when included as part of the project proposal. Summer compensation is permissible if effort is committed during the summer. Summer Electronic Personnel Action Forms (ePAFs) are completed through the GWeb system.

Supplemental Compensation

Supplemental Compensation may be allowable as a direct charge on sponsored projects if certain conditions are met.  More information about supplemental compensation can be found in the GW's Sponsored Projects Handbook (PDF).

Fringe Benefits

Fringe benefits are calculated as a percentage of salaries for all regular full-time employees, some part-time employees and temporary hourly wage employees to cover such benefits as retirement, health care and tuition benefits. The rates are set as part of GW’s negotiated rate agreement with the government and can be found on the GCAS website.

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