Since you brought it up… want to read a sci-fi novel that literalizes the idea of scientists as “nerdy monks”? Look no further than Anathem by Neal Stephenson! Set in a world with history and philosophy of science that “rhymes” with ours, the main plot is driven by debates over the nature of mathematics and the role of academia in society. Plus it’s not just intellectual discussion of these ideas, there are aliens and a lot of action! (Though a recommendation: if you want to give it a try, commit to reading at least 100 pages because this is one of those books with a bunch of made-up terms that you just have to let wash over you until they start to make sense, though they do have real roots/resemblance to our words which give the rough vibe.)
"when I write a grant for 500 thousand dollars, the university gets 188 thousand dollars, and I’ll get 312 thousand for actually spending on research."
That's not really accurate is it? For example, in NIH funding models, direct costs and indirect costs are separate. Such that the yearly cap of 500k for an R01 will not pay out any F&A costs, as those are budgeted separately.
Does NSF or other funding agencies work differently?
Yes, for NSF, ONR, AFOSR, ARO, and DARPA, the budget caps include the indirect costs.
NIH sounds like it requests budgets formatted differently, but universities still charge overhead on NIH grants. ,It’s just now added to your number. If NIH awards the investigator 500K, it pays the university 300K (60%), costing the taxpayers 800K.
Since you brought it up… want to read a sci-fi novel that literalizes the idea of scientists as “nerdy monks”? Look no further than Anathem by Neal Stephenson! Set in a world with history and philosophy of science that “rhymes” with ours, the main plot is driven by debates over the nature of mathematics and the role of academia in society. Plus it’s not just intellectual discussion of these ideas, there are aliens and a lot of action! (Though a recommendation: if you want to give it a try, commit to reading at least 100 pages because this is one of those books with a bunch of made-up terms that you just have to let wash over you until they start to make sense, though they do have real roots/resemblance to our words which give the rough vibe.)
Sold! I'll give it a read.
I first read it in 8th grade and it became my favorite book... somehow still thinking about the same topics all these years later!
"when I write a grant for 500 thousand dollars, the university gets 188 thousand dollars, and I’ll get 312 thousand for actually spending on research."
That's not really accurate is it? For example, in NIH funding models, direct costs and indirect costs are separate. Such that the yearly cap of 500k for an R01 will not pay out any F&A costs, as those are budgeted separately.
Does NSF or other funding agencies work differently?
Yes, for NSF, ONR, AFOSR, ARO, and DARPA, the budget caps include the indirect costs.
NIH sounds like it requests budgets formatted differently, but universities still charge overhead on NIH grants. ,It’s just now added to your number. If NIH awards the investigator 500K, it pays the university 300K (60%), costing the taxpayers 800K.
Ah! Budget caps include indirects!? Budgeting is already a nightmare, let along having to work with the indirect cost within the fixed amount.
Now with all this being said, why did you end up deciding that being a professor is the life you want?
I'd advise everyone to be clear eyed about the shortcomings of their chosen occupations.