Graduate Students Working on a Sponsored Project

Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs) working on a sponsored project are paid according to ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ’s GRA salary sheet found in our Frequently Needed Information.ÌýThese are AY semester contract rates based on full-time employment for a GRA, which is 50% time during the academic year. GRAs may also work on a sponsored project during the summer, and their maximum full-time employment during the summer months is 100%. The salary rates are negotiated annually between departments and the Graduate School, and any deviation must be approved prior to proposal submission by the Graduate School.

All GRAs working during the academic year must receive tuition remission according to theÌýGraduate Student Appointment Manual. ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ’s tuition and fees rate sheets are available on theÌýBursar’s Office webpage. The 9+ credit hour rate is used for graduate students working 50% time. A reduced rate will be applied for graduate students committing less time (e.g. the 5 credit hour rate for GRAs working 25% time) in accordance with theÌýGraduate Student Appointment Manual.

Your Proposal Analyst will help you determine the appropriate salary,Ìýtuition and fees to charge for any GRAs included on your sponsored project budget. For additional information, view the Memorandum of Understanding with RegardÌýto the Method Used to Budget Tuition on Sponsored Project Proposal Budgets.

Mandatory Fees for Graduate Students on Sponsored Projects

ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ remits mandatory fees for graduate students on assistantship appointments. The source of funding for mandatory fees will be based on the funding source for the positions:

  • General-funded positions:The campus will be covering the cost of fees for all general-funded positions.
  • Gift and auxiliary-funded positions: Any positions funded by gift or auxiliary funds will be expected to cover fees from those sources.
  • Fund 30 and Fund 12-funded positions:For all GRAs supported by fund 30 (sponsored projects) or fund 12s (cost share for general fund), the campus will cover the cost of fees until Fall 2023 term and then fees will be covered by the funding source.
  • See the Graduate School FAQs for additional information.

For sponsored projects (Fund 30s), the Office of Contracts and Grants (OCG) includes mandatory student fees in new sponsored project proposal budgets for all eligible GRA positions on a project. Budgeting of mandatory student fees follows these processes:

  • Student fees are included for all graduate student appointments 20% or greater.
  • Each unit’s assigned OCG Proposal Analyst assesses the fees needed on proposal budgets, according to the rate sheets provided by the Bursar’s Office.
  • Mandatory student fees are exempt from indirect cost (F&A).Ìý
  • Inflation in out years is included at the same rate as that of tuition as provided by the Office of Budget and Fiscal Planning. Inflation rates are detailed onÌýOCG’s Frequently Needed Information page.

In cases for current awards or awards proposed prior to the required budgeting of student fees on sponsored project budgets, and include an eligible GRA position, the PI and department may choose to:

  • Re-budget sponsored project funds to cover the mandatory fees, within the limits of the award terms and conditions (contact OCG Grant or Contract Officers for requirements and questions); OR
  • Cover the fees with other funding sources.

For questions about mandatory fee remission for graduate students, contact the Graduate School atÌýgradinfo@colorado.edu. For questions about proposal and award budgeting for fees,Ìýcontact your assigned OCG Proposal Analyst, Grant Officer, or Contract Officer.