Bill · H.R. 420· House(119-HR-420)
Federal Grant Accountability Act
- Introduced
- 1/15/2025
- Last activity
- 1/15/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- Sponsored by
- Ben Cline
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Federal Grant Accountability Act," seeks to limit the amount of indirect costs that institutions of higher education can claim through Federal research awards. Under this act, the total indirect costs for these Federal awards cannot exceed the average indirect cost rate found in private research awards. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget is tasked with determining that private rate at least once a year. Additionally, the bill requires the Comptroller General to conduct a study comparing Federal and private indirect cost rates. This study will look at various factors, including funding for administrative staff. Finally, the Comptroller General must submit a report with recommendations to Congress within one year.
Yes
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?+3
The bill limits the amount of indirect costs that institutions of higher education can claim through Federal research awards.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+2
The bill mandates a study and a report to improve the tracking and determination of indirect cost reimbursements.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Does this put more money into scientific research?-2
By capping indirect costs, the bill may reduce the actual resources available to institutions to manage their federal research programs.
Does this put more money into public schools?-1
The cap on indirect costs may reduce the total amount of flexible administrative funding available to higher education institutions.
Would students be better off under this?-1
Reductions in indirect cost reimbursements for higher education institutions could indirectly impact student services or institutional resources.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Limits on Indirect Costs: This provision ensures that the amount of indirect costs allowable under a Federal research award to an institution of higher education does not exceed the total amount of indirect costs allowable under private research awards (Section 2(a)(1)).
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Comptroller General Study: The bill mandates a study to assess average indirect cost rates, research fields receiving high levels of funding, and how much is used for administrative staff, including those related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (Section 2(b)(2)).
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System Improvement: The Comptroller General is required to submit a report that includes recommendations to improve the system for determining indirect cost rates and tracking reimbursements (Section 2(b)(3)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending+3
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding-2Increases Public School Funding-1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Students-1
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access-1
- 1/15/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- Introduced in House