Close
Find out how the viability of your research project is measured.
The financial viability of a research project is measured in two ways:
1. FEC Recovery surplus /deficit: this indicates how much of the cost is to be recovered from the Funder
- FEC Recovery = Cost to HEI - Price to Funder
- FEC Recovery % = (Price to Funder / Cost to HEI)*100
2. Contribution to Overheads: this indicates the contribution by the Funder to non-direct costs
- Contribution to Overheads = Price to Funder – Directly Incurred Costs
- Contribution to Overheads % = (Price to Funder – Directly Incurred Costs) / Directly Incurred
Projects not reaching minimum FEC Recovery and Contribution to Overheads levels are automatically escalated within Worktribe to Faculties for approval. The escalation logic is summarised in the table below.
| Funder type | FEC Recovery Escalation Logic | Overhead Contribution Escalation Logic |
|---|---|---|
| Industry, Commerce and Public Corporations | Escalated if recovery <100% | Escalated if contribution < 30% |
| Research Councils, UK Government Bodies/Local Health & Hospital Authorities | Escalated if recovery <70% | Escalated if contribution < 30% |
| Non-EU Other and Other Sources | Escalated if recovery <100% | Escalated if contribution < 15% |
| EU Government Bodies and EU Other | No escalation logic | Escalated if contribution < 15% |
| Charities (Open competitive process) | No escalation logic | No escalation logic |
| Charities (Other) | Always esclate | No escalation logic |
For further information about FEC, please see the Costing Principles (FEC) page.