Strengthen Institutional Financial Sustainability Through Strategic F&A Rate Development.

Develop the knowledge, institutional perspective, and strategic understanding needed to support Facilities & Administrative (F&A) rate development, negotiation, implementation, and management while strengthening research infrastructure and long-term financial sustainability.

12 Modules | 12 Contact Hours | Self-Paced | Immediate Access


Purple Sheep Institute™ develops more than technical knowledge of Facilities & Administrative (F&A) rates.

We help institutions strengthen financial sustainability by developing the workforce capability, institutional understanding, and strategic perspective needed to support compliant F&A rate development, informed negotiations, and responsible management of research infrastructure resources.


The Facilities & Administrative (F&A) Rate Development Series™ is designed for research professionals and institutional leaders responsible for supporting research finance, cost recovery, institutional budgeting, and long-term research infrastructure.

Whether you are contributing to the F&A rate development process or seeking a deeper understanding of institutional cost recovery, this series develops the strategic knowledge and financial perspective needed to strengthen institutional sustainability.

  • Research Administrators
  • Research Finance Professionals
  • Cost Analysis and Budget Professionals
  • Sponsored Programs Professionals
  • Post-Award Administrators
  • Department and College Research Administrators
  • Research Managers and Directors
  • Institutional Budget and Finance Professionals
  • Institutional leaders responsible for research finance, infrastructure, and financial sustainability

Strong research enterprises require sustainable financial infrastructure.

Facilities & Administrative (F&A) rates play a critical role in supporting research operations, maintaining institutional resources, and ensuring organizations have the financial capacity to sustain research growth over time.

Purple Sheep Institute™ helps organizations strengthen workforce capability by developing the knowledge, financial perspective, and institutional understanding needed to support effective F&A rate development, strategic cost recovery, and long-term research sustainability.

  • Strengthen institutional understanding of F&A rate development and negotiation
  • Improve collaboration between research administration, finance, and institutional leadership
  • Support informed financial decision-making and strategic planning
  • Strengthen institutional cost recovery practices
  • Build workforce capability in research finance and infrastructure management
  • Support long-term institutional sustainability through responsible financial stewardship

Whether you are developing a single professional or building the next generation of research administrators across your institution, Purple Sheep Institute provides learning experiences that strengthen both the people and the systems that sustain research excellence.

  • Enterprise Learning Licenses
  • Team and Department Cohorts
  • Pathway-Based Workforce Development
  • Executive Education
  • Institutional Labs™
  • Customized Learning Experiences

Start an Institutional Conversation


Begin with the Foundational Series to build a strong foundation in institutional capability.

Foundational Series (Modules 1-6)

Build a strong understanding of Facilities & Administrative (F&A) rate development, institutional cost recovery, research finance, and the role of indirect costs in supporting sustainable research infrastructure. Learn the foundational principles that influence compliant rate development and long-term financial stewardship.

6.0 Contact Hours | Self-Paced | Immediate Access

Recommended Learning Path

Next: Modules 7-12

Full Series (Modules 1-12)

Master the strategic principles of Facilities & Administrative (F&A) rate development by exploring cost recovery methodologies, negotiation strategies, financial stewardship, research infrastructure, and institutional sustainability. Gain the knowledge and institutional perspective needed to support responsible financial management and long-term research growth.

12.0 Contact Hours | Self-Paced | Immediate Access

Explore a Pathway™

Advance into the Governance, Compliance & Risk Pathway™


Institutional capability is built through continuous learning, strong leadership, and intentional systems development. Continue your journey through Purple Sheep Institute’s learning pathways to strengthen both the systems and the people who drive research excellence.