SUBJECT:

Extension of the Certification of Effort to 6 Months

We are committed to constantly simplifying our business processes and to improve our services. After reviewing the effort reporting requirements and schedule, we have determined that condensing the effort certification reporting period from quarterly to semi-annually will save 50% of our Principal Investigator’s time while still appropriately addressing regulatory, compliance, and reporting requirements. Effective January 1, 2015, the Electronic Certifications of Effort will be required every 6 months replacing the current 3 month certification period.

The effort certification must be completed within 120 days of the close of each 6 month reporting period through Electronic Certification of Effort and Reporting Tool (ECERT.) Timely and accurate certification of effort charged to federal awards is a key Federal compliance area with significant risk potential to our University and its federally-funded research.

It is the responsibility of Principal Investigators (PIs) to certify their effort and to ensure timely certification of effort for all employees paid under their federal research awards. This certification insures that payroll charged to federal awards is consistent with the work performed during the certification period. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the forfeiture of research funding.

More information can be found at Effort Reporting or Electronic Certification of Effort and Reporting Tool (ECERT).

If you have further questions please contact BFSupport.

Suresh Subramani Executive Vice Chancellor – Academic Affairs Pierre Ouillet Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) David Brenner Vice Chancellor – Health Sciences Margaret Leinen Vice Chancellor – Marine Sciences Sandra Brown Vice Chancellor – Research Affairs Juan Gonzalez Vice Chancellor – Student Affairs