Managing Effort

Effort Web Content has moved to PAFC

Effective 1/1/2023, the effort reporting compliance team within Sponsored Programs Finance moved from Management Accounting and Analysis (MAA) to Post Award Fiscal Compliance (PAFC). This encompasses a change in where web content for effort reporting is housed. Moving forward, it will be on PAFC's website (https://finance.uw.edu/pafc/) under the Effort Reporting menu tab. Continual updates will be made throughout the rest of the calendar year (2023) to rebuild web content to reflect new systems and processes.

Projects are awarded by sponsors with the expectation that effort commitments will be met over the course of the project, i.e., budget period, regardless of whether or not the Principal Investigator's (PI) salary is charged to the project or cost shared.
A change in the status of a PI and/or other key personnel as listed in the proposal or  Notice of Grant Award (NGA)*, requires PRIOR sponsor approval if

  • Change in scope or the objective of  the project
  • Change in PI or key personnel specified in the application or award
  • Reduction in effort by 25% or more by the approved PI or Project Director
  • Disengagement from the project by the approved PI or Project Director for 3 months or more
  • Changes in the approved cost sharing

For example: a proposed change from 40 percent effort to 30 percent or less effort requires notification in writing to the sponsor requesting approval.

A concurrence letter to the sponsor should be prepared and submitted to UW's Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) for counter signature.

  • The written approval received from the sponsor must be kept on file in the PI's department and at OSP.
  • e-mails are acceptable for both the request and written permission.
  • Minor changes in effort may be made by adjustments in the salary distribution in OPUS.

The total effort commitment, (both paid by the sponsor and paid by the University, i.e.., cost shared) at the time the award is issued is considered the threshold against which reductions of 25% or more are requested and approved.

In order to be in compliance the PI should compare the original commitment in the proposal and award document against actual grant effort on the Faculty Effort Certification form.

Changes in status or significant reductions of effort, as noted above, are specifically excluded from expanded authority.

*Note: The key personnel named in the NGA may differ from key personnel identified in the proposal.

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