Memo: Lab Animal Per Diem Rate Changes

Boston University is committed to efficiently managing its animal care facilities and to reviewing costs annually to ensure that re-charge rates for PIs are competitive. The University subsidizes the costs of animal housing and veterinary support as part of its investment in the research enterprise. However, as noted in the table below, subsidized rates are only applicable to research performed by BU investigators that is federally funded or supported by foundation/nonprofit grants that carry the full overhead rate (also known as the facilities and administrative [F&A] rate). Please note that BU’s F&A rate does not include the subsidized portion of the animal rate. This is a true cost to the University and is not reimbursed by any sponsor. Given potential changes by the federal government to the F&A cap, rate eligibility is subject to change.

Lab animal per diem rates can be found on the Office of Research website. The tables below reflect the costs for fiscal year 2026, beginning July 1, 2025, as well as proposed costs for the next four years. Please use these projected costs when preparing proposal budgets. The BU Animal Science Center has worked diligently to build efficiency through staffing optimization and equipment upgrades. As a result and as noted in the table below, there will be no additional increases to the subsidized PI costs for FY26 beyond those projected in the previous year’s memo. The first table below shows the University-subsidized cost charged to BU PIs for research funded by federal, foundation, or private grants that carry the full F&A rate as noted above.

The second table reflects the full cost of the per diems for individual species for unsubsidized research. The full direct cost rates must be used for all non-federal grants that do not carry the full BU negotiated F&A rate, per diem services provided under federal and other non-profit sponsored research and all industry-sponsored agreements. Note that all start-up accounts or other non-sponsored funding sources must pay the full, unsubsidized cost, so please plan accordingly when submitting proposals and funding requests.

Please note these rates are exclusive of research within the NEIDL.

Please note that rates for special services have also been updated, effective July 1, to $57 and $143 for technical services and veterinary services, respectively. 

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