Participant support costs are those costs paid to (or on behalf of) participants in meetings, conferences, symposia, training activities, workshops and similar events. When Sponsor (federal or non-federal agency) funds a project aimed at supporting outreach programs to bring experts together to discuss research or education findings or to expose other researchers or students to new research and education techniques, the funding provided by the sponsor may include this category of expenses.

Specifically, participant support costs may include costs of transportation or travel allowance, per diem, manuals and supplies, tuition and stipends, publication and other related costs for participants or trainees. If NCSU hosts a conference or workshop, participant support costs are subject to the NCSU Conference & Workshop guidelines.  However, if the event it is hosted by another entity, these guidelines will not apply.  Note that participants may or may not be NCSU employees.

The number of participants to be supported must be entered in the parentheses on the proposal budget. These costs also must be justified in the budget justification section of the proposal. Some programs, such as Research Experiences for Undergraduates, have special instructions for treatment of participant support.

Projects funded by NSF generally do not allow indirect costs (F&A) on participant support costs. Other sponsors might allow F&A.

Participant support costs should not be confused with general travel costs which may be incurred by principal investigators and others as those costs relate to individual research and other projects.

For specific guidance on this matter call SPARCS at 515.2444 or email sps@ncsu.edu.