Title: Note 3 - Major Program Selection
Accounting Policies: The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards (the Schedule) includes the federal award activity of the Organization under programs of the federal government for the year ended June 30, 2024. The information in the Schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). Because the Schedule presents only a selected portion of the operations of the Organization, it is not intended to and does not present the financial position, changes in net assets, or cash flows of the Organization.
Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance, wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement.
De Minimis Rate Used: Y
Rate Explanation: The Organization has elected to use the 10 percent de minimis indirect cost rate as allowed under the Uniform Guidance.
The major Federal Award Programs selected for testing are as follows:
Research and Development Cluster:
National Science Foundation
- Biological Sciences
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Biomedical Research and Research Training
The requirements of the Office of Management and Budget Uniform Guidance prescribe that all major programs as determined by the auditor on a risk-based approach and/or at least 40% (20% for low-risk auditees) of all federal awards be subject to specific control and/or compliance testing. For the Science Communication Lab, the programs subject to these requirements are listed above. The total expenditures of these programs represent 100% of the total federal expenditures.
Amount of
Programs ALN Expenditures
Biological Sciences 47.074 $ 821,428*
Biomedical Research and Research Training 93.859 753,334*
Total Federal Awards $ 1,574,762
* Denotes Major Program
Title: Note 4 - Major Program Disclosure
Accounting Policies: The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards (the Schedule) includes the federal award activity of the Organization under programs of the federal government for the year ended June 30, 2024. The information in the Schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). Because the Schedule presents only a selected portion of the operations of the Organization, it is not intended to and does not present the financial position, changes in net assets, or cash flows of the Organization.
Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance, wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement.
De Minimis Rate Used: Y
Rate Explanation: The Organization has elected to use the 10 percent de minimis indirect cost rate as allowed under the Uniform Guidance.
Preamble: Science Communication Lab
The Science Communication Lab (SCL) is an innovative non-profit organization dedicated to using multimedia storytelling to engage the public, including educational and scientific communities, in the journey and wonder of science. The SCL is rooted in a ground-breaking partnership between the worlds of science, education, research, and filmmaking. Our multidisciplinary approach to science communication inspires rethinking how we share the discoveries, methods, and nature of science. Just as science is an ever-evolving enterprise in experimentation, the SCL is dedicated to experimenting with content, form, distribution, and audience-building. We value equity and inclusion in STEM and many of our initiatives support and amplify the stories of students and scientists from marginalized communities. We approach all of our efforts with a spirit of rigorous evaluation of mission and efficacy. The SCL is composed of three major program areas: iBiology, the Wonder Collaborative, and Explorer’s Guide to Biology. The grants that fund these initiatives are described below.
National Science Foundation (NSF) Short Films: The power of storytelling: creating videos to broaden participation in science, enhance STEM education, and facilitate exchange of scientific information
The major goal of this NSF project is to experiment with different forms of video science storytelling and production to reach both educational and general audiences. Working with experienced film directors, video editors, cinematographers, and graphics and animations teams, producers with backgrounds in science create short-form video content with high production value.
For content produced for classroom use, SCL staff have developed networks of educators to test and provide feedback on the content to iterate on production approaches to maximize pedagogic utility. Content for the general public is being distributed through open platforms like YouTube and evaluated in collaboration with social scientists for how different audience cohorts respond.
This grant also contains support for training in science communication and the production of research talks for early career scientists. This content is also distributed freely on the iBiology website and through platforms like YouTube.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Courses: Creating an Online Resource Center for Training and Professional Development in the Biomedical Sciences
The NIH IPERT grant “Navigating Research Mentoring Relationships” continues SCL’s professional development mission of providing new suites of videos for online courses focusing on instructing life science trainees on how to cultivate and maintain mentees. We utilize similar techniques of production and also base the courses on the open-access platform.
Enhancing Biomedical Training and Diversity Through a Peer & Role Model Professional Development Program
The work of this program will equip biomedical or health sciences doctoral students from underrepresented backgrounds in the final 1-2 years of their programs with the knowledge, skills, and networks they need to find great postdoctoral positions that will further their academic interests and career goals. Over the course of one year, fellows will become part of a supportive peer community; develop important career planning, mentoring, and scientific and interpersonal communication skills and products; and connect with role models from diverse backgrounds. The Yale Ciencia Academy program is guided by three main pillars: (1) planning, (2) mentoring, and (3) communication. Collectively, the activities under each pillar have been designed to prepare trainees to successfully transition to a postdoc that matches their career goals, interests, and values and to develop skills that will continue to serve them at every stage of their scientific career.