Understanding how to choose the correct activity type in KRPD can be challenging. It is important to capture the correct activity type, whether it be organized research, sponsored instruction, or another category, to ensure that CSU’s calculation of Facilities & Administrative (F&A) costs and reporting are accurate.

The guidance below is meant to aid in making an accurate distinction between research and fellowships/scholarships. For a comprehensive guide on all activity types, refer to “Kuali Research Activity Type Definitions” on the OSP website.

Choosing between Fellowships/Scholarships and Research

Research

Organized research activities include rigorous inquiry, experimentation or investigation designed to increase scholarly understanding. Sponsored research activities are those organized research activities funded by external organizations such as federal, state, or private sponsors. This includes support for CSU investigators as well as externally-funded research training programs where the primary activity of the trainees is research.

Examples of when ‘Research’ should be selected as the activity type include:

• The project has a Principal Investigator (PI) and the PI/institution chooses the fellows/trainees/students
• Additional CSU costs outside the cost of directly supporting the students are allowed to support the program
• Indirect costs can be applied, either the federally-negotiated rate or rate limited per the sponsor guidelines

Examples of research programs include NIH Training (T) series and the NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) Program

Fellowships/Scholarships

Fellowships and scholarships are made for the benefit of an individual. Recipients are not required to perform service to the institution.

Examples of when ‘Fellowships/Scholarships’ should be selected as the activity type include:

• The proposal can be submitted directly by the fellow to the sponsor
• Allowable personnel costs are usually only stipends. There may be a cost of education allowance. Travel and supply costs may be allowed depending on the program/sponsor
• Generally, no indirect costs can be collected

Examples of fellowship/scholarship programs include the NIH Fellowship (F) series and the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP).

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If you still have questions regarding what the activity type should be in KRPD, consult the guidance found here and/or reach out to your OSP RA/SRA team.