Cost share should not be contributed if it is not a stated requirement of the sponsor. 

1. Cost share can only be used one time for one project.
   
   

2. Cost share must be costs that can be documented and allowable (i.e. cost share cannot be charges that would not be allowed by the Sponsor's funding).
   
   
3. If allowable and available, academic year salaries and associated fringe for faculty, can be used as cost share.  Nine month faculty are allowed one day a week for consulting, research, etc.  Therefore, these "research/consulting" days could be calculated as cost share.  However, faculty must assure that they will not be more than 100% committed by teaching, research, cost share, etc.  And again, once used, these days cannot be used for cost share against another project.
   
   
4. Cost share can be supplied from outside sources (a subcontractor, another agency, etc.).  A letter or legal documentation binding that source must be part of the proposal package.  As a reminder, cost share for a federal award cannot be met with other federal funds.
   
   
5. A further explanation of cost sharing or match is located in
   OMB Circular A-110   SubPart  C___.23
    
6. See Contract Grant and Accounting website for information on cost sharing, including sample calculations and FAQ's.  Also see BUSF3.03.
7. For USC units supplying cost share, indicate on the SAM PAP/f form in USCeRA.