Yale pays $7.6 million in grants probe

Under the terms of a settlement reached in December, Yale will repay the federal government $7.6 million after an investigation of Yale’s accounting practices for research grants. The probe, which began in June 2006 and covered periods going back to 1999, was led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office on behalf of federal granting agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Science Foundation.

President Richard C. Levin said that the university has “a clear obligation to comply with all regulations pertaining to the administration of federal awards.” He also acknowledged that federal regulations are sometimes burdensome, but noted that Yale receives more than $400 million in federal grants each year.

As a result of the investigation, Yale’s Office of Research Administration has developed training and education programs, published revised policies and procedures, implemented a Web-based reporting system, and designed procedures for the documentation and review of cost transfers.