The Academy for Radiology and Biomedical Imaging Research (ARBIR) has highlighted progress with the Financial Accountability in Research (FAIR) model of indirect cost accountability for research institutions.
Proposed by the Joint Associations Group (JAG) on Indirect Costs, the FAIR model is a widely supported alternative to the 15% facilities and administrative (F&A) cut supported by the Office of Management and Budget, according to the ARBIR.
FAIR marks a significant departure from the current F&A model, which has been critiqued for being difficult to understand and vague in how research dollars are being spent, the academy noted.
The model introduces three main cost categories: research performance costs, essential research performance support, and general research operations. There are also two accounting options: one for research-intensive institutions and one that can be used by any institution.
Societies signing a September 22 letter supporting the JAG proposal included ARBIR, American College of Radiology (ACR), American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS), Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM), Society for Pediatric Radiology (SPR), Society of Chairs of Academic Radiology Departments (SCARD), and Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI).
The letter asks for appropriations bill language supporting the work of the JAG and the development and implementation of the FAIR model by the executive branch, and that lawmakers preserve continued support for F&A expenses at existing levels until the new model is fully implemented.
ARBIR presents a full summary of the FAIR model and related resources here.
