Stanford erupts over indirect costs

Article Abstract:

Many universities and research institutions attach ''indirect costs'' to the grants of their scientists and researchers. These funds are applied to maintenance, mortgage costs on the building the research is performed in, administrative costs associated with running the research, and in fact, any cost incurred on behalf of the researchers. Many institutions claim indirect costs that run about half of the grant amount. Therefore, when an agency grants $100,000 to a researcher, it may pay $150,000 to the institution. The indirect costs at Stanford University, however, are already 74 percent - among the highest in the nation - and appear to be rising soon. University scientists, who for years have only mumbled quietly, are enraged; to get a $100,000 grant, they may soon have to find an agency willing to give them $184,000. As research money becomes tighter, some agencies like the NIH occasionally say ''we'll give you a combined total of $850,000,'' leaving it to the scientist to fight it out with the university to see who gets how much. Some scientists who have received flat sum grants are seeing their research money eaten up by indirect costs. They cannot afford their research programs, and they cannot afford as many graduate students. The net result is a drop in productivity. In the past, Stanford seemed to have the attitude that if a quality researcher needed more money, he would find it somewhere. In the era of tightening budgets, this may no longer be possible. University Provost Rosse and Stanford president Kennedy promise to whittle the indirect costs down by trying to improve efficiency and reduce staff; nonetheless, the indirect costs will be increased to 78 percent next year. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Economic aspects, Grants-in-aid

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The telomerase picture fills in

Article Abstract:

Vicki Lundblad and Tom Cech each led teams that used biochemistry and gene genetics to identify a new protein that is likely to be the catalytic component of telomerase. The discovery could help researchers understand how the telomerase enzyme rebuilds chromosome ends after each cell division.

Discovery and exploration, Telomeres, Proteins, Lundblad, Vicki, Cech, Tom

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Secrets of secretion revealed

Article Abstract:

Research by geneticists, neuroscientists and cell biologists has discovered that the same molecular machinery is used to direct vesicular trafficking in very different cells. Research findings are discussed.

Physiological aspects, Cell membranes, Cell physiology

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