May 2025

All About IDFRAs:

What is IDFRA?

IDFRA stands for Internally Designated Faculty Research Accounts, which are individual research accounts assigned to faculty members that are comprised of both internal and external funding/revenue and may include faculty start-up funds, faculty retention support funds, institutional support funds, indirect cost recovery, and fixed price contract residual balances, if applicable.

This includes a portion of the indirect costs recovered from a grant that the university returns to the academic unit.

Here’s what that means broken down:

• Indirect Costs: These are costs not directly tied to a specific project but necessary to support research (like building maintenance, utilities, administrative support).

• Facilities and Administrative (F&A) Costs: Another term for indirect costs—universities often recover these from research grants.

• Return Allocation: American University shares part of the recovered indirect costs with the school and Principal Investigator (PI)  to incentivize research activity. A school (unit) receives 50% of the total indirect. A portion of that goes to the PI according to the chart below.

When do I receive my IDFRA funds?

The funds are typically deposited to PI’s IDFRA account following the close and reconciliation of the fiscal year. Recent deposits were for FY 2024.

What is AU's policy on IDFRA?

The policy is listed here.

Current SOE Policy on IDFRA:

NSF stops awarding new grants and funding existing ones

Policy Notice: Implementation of Standard 15% Indirect Cost Rate

NSF director to resign amid grant terminations, job cuts, and controversy

Guidance from NSF on implementation of recent executive orders

American University's School of Education had a significant representation among the 2,500 sessions that took place at the American Educational Research Association's (AERA) 2025 Annual Meeting in Denver April 23-27, with the theme "Research, Remedy, and Repair: Toward Just Education Renewal." SOE faculty, students, staff, and alumni chaired conversations, received awards, and presented the work that is so important to them and the future of education. 

Top Row (L-R) - Dr. Kenjus Watson; Dr. Danielle Sodani & Anne Karabell

Bottom Row (L-R) - Dr. Amaarah DeCruir; Dr. Sung Ryung Lyu

Dr. Reuben Jacobson, Dr. kecia hayes, and Dr. Robert Shand were awarded an additional $44,350 on their grant with the United Way of the National Capital Area.

Do you want to expand your research portfolio? Have you had a conversation with a funder and are unsure of the next steps? Are you ready to apply for your first grant? If you have questions about the proposal process or want to brainstorm about research possibilities, please contact Monica Konschnik to schedule a time to meet.

June

19 - 21

The annual American University School of Education Summer Institute on Education, Equity, and Justice (SIEEJ) convenes local and national educators and education advocates to highlight new practices and strategies for addressing the educational needs of Black, Brown, and indigenous students. The Institute aims to bring together educators, students, researchers, policymakers, law enforcement officials, mental health experts, and community leaders to explore innovative strategies, evidence-based solutions, and the importance of solidarity in creating safer schools.