Participant Support Costs (PSC) are direct expenses incurred for items such as stipends, subsistence allowances, travel allowances, supplies, and/or registration fees paid to or on behalf of participants or trainees (excluding employees) in connection with meetings, conferences, symposia, or training projects.
PSC are a restricted budget category frequently proposed on National Science Foundation (NSF) awards. Other sponsors may vary slightly in their definitions and restrictions for PSC. PSC defined under this guidance should not be mistaken for costs associated with participants in a research project or clinical trial, such as incentive or human subject payments.
PSC are allowable with the prior approval of the awarding agency.