Some agencies include a category for participant support costs on their budget forms. This category is used only for conference proposals or training proposals such as National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF/REU) proposals. The category is not used for general travel to conferences nor is it used on a research proposal to bring collaborators together to meet and discuss the project.

Funds proposed in this category and approved by the agency cannot be rebudgeted for use in other categories without the prior approval of the agency.

NOTE: NSF does not allow participant support costs to be included in the calculation of F&A costs. This is an NSF rule, however, not a general rule for all participant support costs. Check sponsor guidelines before excluding participant support from the Modified Total Direct Cost and provide ORS with a copy of the rule.