The University of South Florida is being asked to repay $6.5 million in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grant money it claimed, The Tampa Tribune reports.
National Institutes of Health guidelines were not followed in nearly 75 different claims made between 2009 and 2011, according to The Tribune. The improper claims cited in the research grant audit included those for administrative and clerical salaries, graduate student compensation and three claims for excessive pay.
The university had 302 grants, worth $198 million during that time, The Tribune reports.
Paul Sanberg, USF’s senior vice president for research and innovation, said USF is cooperating with auditors and expects the amount of the fine to be reduced significantly, The Tribune reports.