Center for dark energy biosphere investigations stc annual Report 2016

The discrepancy between what has been expensed (and reported to NSF by USC Sponsored Projects Accounting) and what is reported in Appendix K is the inclusion of our committed expenses. For example, a large portion of our budget is in our small research grants and fellowships which are awarded as 1-2 year subcontracts or satellite accounts, and we report as committed expenses of ~$50K per award. However, the expenses reported by USC's SPA only include the individual invoices paid by USC which are incrementally billed/paid up to the entire award of ~$50K over the 1-2 year award period. What we report above carefully accounts for these types of commitments that may not be completely billed and paid for some period of time. See Appendix L for a statement of our accounts in the USC Financial Accounting System.

2. Requested Award Year

In the next award period (4/1/17 – 3/31/18), we will continue to support the Co-PI and Senior Scientist research groups, central administration at USC, data management, meetings and activities, education and diversity programs and grants and fellowships (see figure below and Appendix M).

3. Center Support from All Sources

In addition to NSF core funds, the center received $299,350 directly from USC in the form of institutional returns on indirect costs this year, and will receive $280,423 in the requested award year (see table below). In the current award year and the requested award year, the USC Institutional Support funded additional Center activities including GEM Summer Course instructors (an additional 0.5 month of summer salary each), and additional C-DEBI community meetings and activities. Remaining funds are used at the Director’s discretion to support important Center projects and to position C-DEBI closer to renewal success. See details of non-monetary institutional commitment in Appendix N.