The FAIR model: A proposed framework for research cost transparency

Federal attempts to cap indirect cost reimbursement at 15% have threatened devastating losses for research institutions nationwide. The Joint Associations Group on Indirect Costs—a collaboration of 10 academic, medical, and research organizations—developed the Financial Accountability in Research (FAIR) model as a transparent alternative that is now being considered by Congress. As a subject matter expert in FAIR's development, Jenny Lodge reveals how this framework reorganizes research costs into clear categories including Essential Research Performance Facilities—directly impacting how institutions budget for lab infrastructure, equipment maintenance, and space planning. With change inevitable, facility planners and research administrators must understand FAIR's structure to prepare their institutions for transitioning to accountability-driven models that ensure full cost recovery for research infrastructure.