Four Sources of Research Foundation (RF) Income

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RF Financial Concepts 101 

Understanding the Business of the RF


Module 1: Understanding RF Sources of Income 

Four Sources of Research Foundation (RF) Income

The RF's sources of income include funds generated from:

  • Sponsored Programs Administration
  • Royalties from Licenses
  • Contracted Services
  • Investment

What the Data Shows

The most significant source of RF income, contracts and grants awarded to faculty, includes direct dollars (awarded for things like lab equipment that can be identified specifically with a particular sponsored project) and indirect dollars (reimbursements by sponsors for things like utilities that cannot be directly and uniquely assigned to any particular project).

Page 7 of the RF's annual Operating Plan presents the various sources of RF income.  Historical actuals are presented alongside projected amounts for future periods.

photo of CAMM lab at Binghamton University

The RF manages over $1 billion of externally-sponsored activity each year.

Where to Find More Information 

Please refer to the 2021 Operating Plan.

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