Foundation grant for student research work

[Kathy Kipp-Huspeni]

I just want to get some feedback on whether my thinking is reasonable. We have several grad students that receive grant funding from a foundation for their research work, generally in foreign countries. Their budgets include calculations for 'Living expenses" which are based on number of days and cost per day for lodging and meals. The sponsors reporting guidelines state that financial report needs not be itemized in accordance with the budget, nor does the financial report need to be submitted in a specific format. Since these students do not hold U of MN TA or RA appointments while conducting this research work (easily 6 months to 12 months in length), does it seem reasonable that these 'Living Expenses" can be disbursed to the student as a grad school fellow?