Accurate, defensible space data has become one of the most powerful levers universities can pull to improve their Indirect Cost Recovery (ICR) and protect research funding. As institutions face increasing scrutiny over how indirect costs are calculated and justified, audit-ready space surveys are essential to support Facilities & Administrative (F&A) rate negotiations. Universities need reliable, transparent, and centralized data—not spreadsheets vulnerable to human error and version issues—if they want to maximize ICR and respond confidently to federal requirements.
This webinar will walk through how today’s universities compile, validate, and leverage space utilization data to strengthen their F&A proposals. You’ll learn how modern space and facilities technology provides a single source of truth, automated reporting, and real-time visibility that reduces audit risk and unlocks new funding potential. We will also examine best practices for distinguishing instructional vs. organized research space, preparing for evolving federal policies, and transforming space data from an administrative burden into a strategic financial asset.
Key Takeaways
--What makes space survey data “defensible” and why it’s critical for F&A negotiations
--How organized research space drives indirect cost recovery and affects F&A rate calculations
--Common pitfalls of spreadsheet-based surveys and how automation reduces audit risk
--Ways modern space management systems improve accuracy, efficiency, and compliance
--Strategies to prepare for evolving federal policies and future research funding challenges
