Update, 9/6/2022 – The Cost Sharing Sitelet on the researchadmin website has been updated to clarify some aspects of the University’s stance on cost sharing, provide a new section for ASU’s guiding principles when considering cost share, and revise the process and parameters for requesting cash contributions from Knowledge Enterprise (KE).
- Sponsor Requirement. Is the cost share commitment required by the Sponsor as identified in the funding announcement? Is it required by statute?
- ASU and/or KE Strategic Initiative Alignment. Is the cost share commitment tied to an ASU or KE Strategic Initiative? Does this request align with our investment strategy, ASU goals and objectives?
- Sponsor Type. Who are we doing business with? Is this a federal, state, local government, charitable organization or industry Sponsor?
- Sponsor, ASU Relationship. Do we have an existing partnership with this Sponsor? Is this a strategic partnership? Would winning this award be prestigious at the institutional level?
- Public & Social Impact. Will any investment contribute to the social good? Are we addressing a public policy question or social problem? Does this project support an under-represented population? Does the project make a local impact?
- Risk-Return Trade-Off. What is the level of return to be gained from this investment? Every investment has risk as we may lose out on another opportunity these funds could be invested in. We must consider the risk-return trade-off at the time of investment to meet our goals.
- Requests for the standard split will route to KE for approvals in ERA (via the Department Review process).
- Requests for a non-standard split must be submitted using the new KE Cash Cost Share Contribution Request form (3 weeks in advance of deadline). If approved, the RA will also route for approvals in ERA (via the Department Review process).
- Cost sharing commitments are committed institutional investments that either Arizona State University (ASU) is quantifying (e.g. placing a value on) within a proposal or that the Sponsor is requiring to be included, as identified in the funding announcement, or both. These cost sharing commitments are costs not paid for by the sponsor but rather are covered by ASU and/or third parties.
- ASU’s objective is to maximize sponsor cost reimbursement to support continued growth of the research enterprise. By minimizing cost sharing when not required, ASU:
- Is able to make more money available to fund cost sharing where it is required to be a viable proposal;
- Reduces the time faculty and administrators must spend on tracking and documenting cost sharing;
- Lessens the university's exposure to audit findings caused by insufficient or improperly documented cost sharing; and
- Curtails impacts on ASU's facilities and administrative rates.
- The university’s decision to authorize the use of internal resources to supplement funding of a sponsored project is based on the availability of funds and ASU’s guiding principles when considering cost sharing.
STANDARD FORMULAS WHEN REQUESTING CASH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM KE
Scenario | Cash | Formula |
Cost sharing ≤ anticipated F&A recovery | Full commitment | KE: 50% College: 25% Unit/PI: 25% |
Cost sharing > anticipated F&A recovery | Portion of commitment up to anticipated F&A recovery ____________________ Portion of commitment above anticipated F&A recovery | KE: 50% College: 25% Unit/PI: 25% _______________ KE: 35% College/Unit/PI/3rd Party: 65% |
PROCESS CHART FOR KE CASH CONTRIBUTION REQUESTS

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Original Post, 8/23/2022 – Coming Soon! – New KE Cash Cost Share Contribution Request Form
As part of ongoing efforts to increase transparency around Knowledge Enterprise (KE) financial support, the process and guiding principles for requesting cash cost sharing from KE are being updated. The new form and guidelines are being finalized and will be released on September 6, 2022. The new form will be required for all KE Cash Contributions requested on or after 9/20/22.