Time and Effort Certification System Certification FAQs
Choose an FAQ link below to jump to the respective answer or scroll through and read all of the FAQs and answers:
- Who is authorized to certify an effort report?
- What is the time frame for certifying an effort report?
- How does the certification statement read?
- What happens if I do not certify my effort reports?
- How often do effort certifications occur?
Who is authorized to certify an effort report?
- The employee/Principal Investigator for whom the effort report was created.
- A responsible person having firsthand knowledge of the work performed (for example, a co-investigator, division or department head). See definition of "responsible person" and "firsthand knowledge" below.
- A responsible person using a suitable means of verification that the work was performed. See definition of "responsible person" and "suitable means of verification" below.
What is the time frame for certifying an effort report?
Electronic Generation: Forty-five (45) days are allowed for final effort certification by an authorized certifier. This time frame begins from the date of distribution and is inclusive of days the report is in the hands of the Effort Reporting Coordinators (ERC) during their 'Pre-Review' phase.
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How does the certification statement read?
"I certify that, having firsthand knowledge or having used a suitable means of verification, the work was performed toward the above activities and that the certified effort percentages REFLECT A REASONABLE distribution of effort for this period".
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What happens if I do not certify my effort reports?
Non-compliance with this policy and related procedures may result in financial loss to the Institution. Those with roles and responsibilities in the process are responsible in any instances of non-compliance.
The Office of Sponsored Programs will take corrective action toward ensuring that the Time and Effort Certification policy and the related procedures are followed. In the event that an effort report is not certified, corrective actions may include but are not limited to:
- withholding submission of proposals, other project applications or other documents such as material transfer agreements,
- training of Principal Investigators/Faculty and staff in the certification process,
- placing active projects/awards 'on hold', and/or,
- moving uncertified payroll distributions to non-sponsored accounts.
How often do effort certifications occur?
| School of Medicine (SOM) Faculty | Semi-Annually | January 1 - June 30 July 1 - December 31 |
| Non-School of Medicine Faculty Graduate Research Assistants |
Academic Calendar | January 1 - May 31 June 1 - August 31 September 1 - December 31 |
| Classified and University Staff Wage Employees |
Quarterly (timed to correspond with bi-weekly payroll calendar dates) | Roughly January 1 - March 31 April 1 - June 30 July 1 - September 30 October 1 - December 31 |