NAICU Board Endorses FAIR Model to Guide a New Era of Research Support
On October 10, 2025, the Board of Directors of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities voted unanimously to endorse the FAIR Model proposed by the Joint Association Group on Indirect Costs. The following is a statement from the NAICU Board:
“The Board of Directors of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) endorses the Financial Accountability in Research Model (FAIR) proposed by the Joint Association Group on Indirect Costs (JAG). As a member of the JAG, NAICU represents the broad array of private, nonprofit universities involved in federal research, including 51institutions with very high research activity, 42 with high research activity, and 89 with some research activity. Whether large or small, institutions conducting research in partnership with the federal government on behalf of the American people deserve appropriate funding for the costs of compliance and infrastructure to produce cutting-edge results.
“The FAIR model was developed by subject matter experts at research institutions to enhance transparency and accountability, adopting elements of the private foundation funding model and industry charging structures that make costs more visible and explicit through new trackable costing categories. The new model provides greater visibility on the drivers of research costs, including regulatory expenses, so researchers, institutions, government, and taxpayers can more clearly understand what contributes to the safe and ethical conduct of science. Adopting the FAIR model would align reimbursement with actual project needs, replacing the current F&A model that is applied across all research types at an institution with tailored support that reflects the specific type and cost of each research project, which better meets the needs of institutions of all sizes.
NAICU urges Congress and the administration to support the JAG effort and to adopt the FAIR model as a new approach to supporting research and ensuring American leadership in science and innovation.”