Cost sharing and matching

Cost sharing is the portion of the project cost that does not come from the federal award. American notices state THAT a match is required far more often than they state how much, which is why Bemzu records the requirement as a flag rather than as a rate. Inventing a percentage the agency did not publish would be the single most misleading number in a fit assessment.

Mandatory cost sharing exists only where a statute or regulation requires it. Where it is not required, agencies are generally prohibited from considering voluntary cost sharing during merit review, so offering money you were not asked for does not buy you points, and can complicate your award without improving your chances.

Whatever you commit becomes auditable. Committed cost sharing must be documented, verifiable from your records, allowable under the same cost principles as the federal share, and not counted towards any other federal award. A promise made casually in a proposal narrative becomes a tracked obligation for the life of the project.

In-kind contributions can count where the notice allows them (donated time, equipment use, facilities) but they must be valued by defensible methods and evidenced. Valuing a volunteer's time at what you wish it were worth is a finding waiting to happen.

For a foreign applicant the practical question is whether the match can come from your own national funding. Often it can, but the two funders' rules must both permit it, and neither may reimburse the same cost. Establish that in writing before committing.