As federal funding policies continue to evolve, institutions managing service centers must proactively adapt to potential reductions in research funding and shifting cost recovery limitations. 

This session explores the financial and operational complexities of service center management, focusing on advanced cost analysis, rate setting strategies, external user pricing, and compliance with federal guidelines. With ongoing discussions surrounding limitations on indirect cost recovery—such as the recently proposed 15% cap at NIH—institutions face increased pressure to maximize cost recovery while ensuring compliance. 

This session will examine strategies for optimizing service center operations, developing sustainable financial models, and leveraging alternative revenue sources. Through real-world case studies and interactive discussions, participants will learn how to align their service center structures with institutional priorities while navigating federal cost principles, financial sustainability, and external audit expectations.

Learning Objectives

Join us for this informative session, where we will:

• Analyze cost structures and rate-setting methodologies to ensure financial sustainability while maintaining compliance with federal guidelines.
• Explore strategies for mitigating the impact of potential reductions in federal research funding on service center operations.
• Discuss best practices for maximizing cost recovery, including external user pricing and appropriate subsidy allocations.
• Identify key considerations for aligning service center financial management with evolving federal funding priorities.

This session is ideal for research administrators, financial managers, and institutional leaders responsible for overseeing service center operations and research support facilities. Attendees should have a working knowledge of service center cost recovery principles and federal funding regulations.

CoLab is an in-person, paid summer internship in narrative-based research for UMBC undergraduates. Held during Summer Session One, student interns will work on interdisciplinary project teams to conduct research, create effective narratives, and develop public-facing final products that support the goals of on and off campus community-engaged organizations and scholars. Open to all majors, this is an excellent opportunity for students in STEM fields to learn to tell effective stories and for students in social science and humanities fields to gain research and technical skills.

Participants who successfully complete the internship receive a $3000 stipend and a tuition scholarship for the 3-credit internship course.

Program Dates
CoLab 2025 will be held during Summer Session One and meets in-person from Monday, June 2nd through Friday, June 27th. PLEASE NOTE: During these dates, student interns are required to dedicate Monday through Friday from 9:30 am – 4:00 pm to the in-person, on-campus internship. Participants will have preparatory work to complete on their own the week prior to the in-person start date of 6/2, and a final reflective paper to submit the week following the final in-person date of 6/27.

Summer 2025 Projects and Application can be found here.