FEDERALhearing transcript

Congressional Hearing on Research Overhead Costs

Original title: EXAMINING THE OVERHEAD COST OF RESEARCH

January 1, 2017

scientific research federal funding administrative costs higher education government oversight

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The Frame

What this does

The hearing explores how much federal research funding is spent on administrative compliance versus actual scientific discovery, which impacts the total amount of money available for research projects at universities nationwide.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Universities and Research Institutions

These institutions receive federal research grants and must comply with federal administrative and overhead cost regulations.

Federal Research Agencies

Agencies like the National Science Foundation manage the distribution of research funds and oversee compliance with overhead cost policies.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2017.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

This document is a transcript of a 2017 joint subcommittee hearing held by the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. The hearing examined the administrative and s associated with federally funded scientific research at universities and institutions.

Key Facts

The hearing was held on May 24, 2017, by the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
The primary subject was the 'overhead cost' of research, referring to administrative expenses incurred by institutions receiving federal research grants.
Witnesses included representatives from the National Science Foundation, the Government Accountability Office, Duke University, and Ohio University.
The hearing included oral and written statements from committee members and invited experts.
Post-hearing questions were submitted to and answered by Dale Bell (NSF) and James Luther (Duke University).
The document is identified as Serial No. 115-15 of the 115th Congress.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 'overhead' in the context of scientific research?

It refers to the administrative and operational costs that universities and research institutions charge to federal grants to cover expenses like facilities, utilities, and regulatory compliance.

Why was this hearing held?

To examine how federal research dollars are being spent and whether administrative requirements are creating unnecessary costs that reduce the funds available for actual scientific research.

Why It Matters

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Focus on Administrative Burden

The hearing highlights a recurring legislative interest in reducing the 'administrative burden' on researchers to maximize scientific output.

National Science Foundation Duke University

Connected Entities

personDarin LaHood“Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight”Map →

organizationU.S. Government Accountability Office“Federal agency providing testimony”Map →

organizationDuke University“Represented by witness James Luther”Map →

organizationNational Science Foundation“Federal agency providing testimony”Map →

personBarbara Comstock“Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Research and Technology”Map →

organizationOhio University“Represented by witness Richard Vedder”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance60
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy30
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz10
Current news / social attention level

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