Travel Costs
Per diem rates are based on maximum allowable federal rates for a specific locality. Obtain rates at UAA Budget & Finance Website: Click here
First determine what travel expenses the granting agency will allow (travel costs to meetings and field sites), and then itemize the cost of each trip. Break down by location, per diem, number of participants, and number of trips.
Domestic Travel: For Alaska per diem rates, use the daily lodging rate for the Alaskan city and add $44/day maximum for meals and incidentals per UA Board of Regents policy . See also the Financial Services Alaska city per diem list .
International Travel: Fly America Act Information (On a federally funded grant, the traveler must exit and enter the U.S. on an American carrier.) There are no University restrictions on traveling to a country with a current travel warning. However, travelers are encouraged to contact UA Statewide Risk Management if there is any potential danger involved during the travel. Fly America Act Checklist
Equipment
Equipment is defined as any item which will retain its usefulness beyond one year. UAA's threshold for equipment is $5,000. F&A costs are not charged on equipment.
Note on Fabricated Equipment: If you are building a piece of equipment on a grant/contract, you should treat all costs including personnel costs (with fringe), as part of the cost of the equipment. F&A is excluded on all the costs related to fabricate the equipment.
Materials & Project Supplies
Materials & Project Supplies are project-specific. They are deemed supplies when they fall under the $5,000 cost per item threshold for equipment. Budgets should clearly itemize supply lists when they are over $1,000. Be sure to differentiate between expendable supplies used in the lab and office and supplies used in the field.
Supplies should always be referred to as "project supplies" in a budget and justification (object code 4015). Since office supplies are not easily identifiable for a specific project and perceived as for common use, they are normally an indirect cost (object code 4010/4014).
