A consortium is defined as a group of at least four (4) industrial, private, or other non-federal, non-state agencies which provide, on an annual basis, at least $10,000 each or which provide a set dollar amount such that the annual funding totals at least $40,000 toward the general support of a specific, well-defined independent internal research program at The University of Oklahoma. These full members of a consortium should be full participating members and must contribute each year the amount that has been set for that particular consortium. In addition to the minimum of four full members, a consortium may include associate members who contribute a reduced amount and receive reduced services.
To encourage the formation and leveraging of member funds by these consortia, the university will:
These sustaining funds are expected to be leveraged by each consortium to produce a significant multiplication of consortia support through acquisition of externally funded grants and contracts for which the consortia recover maximum allowable indirect costs.
It is emphasized that members of a consortium are contributing to the general support of a particular "internal" research program. All "project specific" research with deliverables, even though performed through the consortium, is subject to full indirect cost.
Also, as a result of their support of a consortium, some sponsors may wish to support a related research program of specific interest to them. Such supplemental grants and contracts with consortium members are encouraged. However, the university's full indirect cost rate will be charged to these grants and contracts.
If the consortium does not meet the joining group rate, then it will be disbanded, and the sponsors will be allowed to redirect funds to a specific Sponsored Research Agreement (SRA).
