Integrated Funding Model

Historical Background 

The IFM was initiated in fall 2010 to address graduate programs' financial operating needs, e.g., program staff, activities, retreats, recruitment, etc.  

• Before the IFM, operating costs were covered in an ad hoc manner. 

• Significant support came from a limited number of departments. Many departments did not contribute to cover operating costs, though students were conducting research in their labs. 

• There was occasional help from departments, institutes, and deans to support specific costs and programs. 

Who Contributes to the IFM? 

• Departments and units where students do their thesis research; generally, ~33 departments, ORUs, institutes and centers. A three-year historical lab student average is used to determine assessments. Contributions from departments make-up ~80% of total IFM funding. 

• Deans' Offices (SOM and SOP): The remaining ~20% of the annual contributions come from the SOM and SOP Dean’s Offices. 

How Much Programs Receive 

• Each program's annual allocation is based on two factors: 

  1. Annual program operating budget, with inflation; and 

  2. Adjusted based on increases or decreases in the five-year average historical graduate student enrollment. 

• In general, program operating budgets may include the following items: 
• Program staff payroll 
• A portion of departmental staff payroll who support the program, e.g., CAO, finance manager, analyst, etc. 
• Administration expenses, e.g., telephone, data network recharge, mail/postage, copies, office supplies, etc. 
• Program activities, e.g., formal seminars, journal clubs, student/faculty talks, orientation/welcome event, grant writing workshops, tutoring, etc. 
• Recruitment activity, e.g., retreats, travel, meetings, entertainment, etc. 
• Any one-time programmatic expense 

October – Student Data Collection 

Student data is collected from the graduate program administrators to produce an accurate list of all students enrolled as of end of September in the current year. 

• Students should appear in the PI’s home department as the methodology charges departments by PI.  

• The IFM is not connected to the Educational Technology or the Oral and Craniofacial Sciences (OCS) programs.  

January – Directors' Stipends 

IFM directors’ stipend payments are usually processed as a lump sum each year. The annual stipend amount is provided by the Student Academic Affairs office, usually after they verify the fall quarter enrollment. 

Early February – IFM Budget Call 

Request for programs' operating budgets for the next fiscal year,  typically due one month later.  

Early March – IFM Forecast & Plan 

Programs complete current year forecast and plan for next year for employee and general planning on Project 1000101. The program’s budget is rolled up to the consolidated IFM budget for the Graduate Student Funding Committee’s review.  Budget data are extracted from PLUS.  

Late April – Graduate Student Funding Committee Review 

Meeting to approve next year’s assessments and allocations. 

• Reminder that PI-owed funds should not be covering the IFM department expenses.  

• Forms should be updated with the department-funded chartstring(s).  

July – IFM Close-Out Process ​​​​​​
Deficit clean-up; deficits removed from Project 1000101. [Could add a link to fiscal close page/ calendar] 

 August – First Installment of IFM Contributions 
Journals prepared in first half of August 

January – Second Installment of IFM Contributions 
Journals prepared in second half of January