Author: James Goff, Executive Director, Cost Studies (RBO)
Effort reporting is an essential compliance process for all faculty and staff who receive salary support from sponsored projects at Emory University. It serves as the official affirmation that salaries charged to awards reflect the actual work performed, based on the proportion of total institutional effort rather than on hours or days. This process is not only a federal requirement but also central to maintaining Emory’s integrity in research and financial reporting. Timely and accurate certification ensures that Emory remains eligible for funding, demonstrates transparency to our sponsors, and upholds our commitment to ethical stewardship of resources.
Currently, Emory University is proud to report a 99.6% effort certification rate—a testament to the diligence and collaboration among faculty, staff, and Research Administration Services (RAS) units. While this is a significant accomplishment, our objective is 100% compliance. The remaining outstanding certifications, though small in number, present potential risks to both individuals and the university, including audit findings, financial penalties, and restricted funding opportunities.
Non-compliance carries serious consequences. At the institutional level, it can lead to audits, fines, and even suspension of ongoing awards. For individuals, uncompleted certifications may result in payroll charges being suspended, disrupting both salary and research activities. To address this, Emory’s new Effort Certification Policy sets clear expectations for the certification process, including deadlines, roles, and an escalation process for those who do not certify on time. Should forms remain uncertified, the policy prescribes progressive follow-up, which may culminate in suspension of payroll charges to awards—a step taken to ensure compliance and protect our research mission. The full policy is available here: https://emory.ellucid.com/pman/documents/view/17781.
August 31st marked the end of the latest effort reporting period, and new effort forms will be released soon for this timeframe. It is important that these new forms are certified within 90 days of their availability to maintain compliance and support ongoing research activities.
The success of our effort reporting also relies heavily on the strong partnership between faculty and RAS units. RAS staff guide and support faculty throughout the certification process, providing training and troubleshooting as needed. Faculty are encouraged to connect with their RAS contacts to resolve questions and complete certifications promptly.
As we aim for full compliance, we urge any faculty or staff who have not yet certified their effort to take immediate action. Every certified form strengthens our reputation for research excellence and financial responsibility. If you need assistance or have questions about the process or policy, please reach out to your RAS unit or consult the effort website.
By working together, we can achieve 100% effort reporting compliance and continue advancing Emory’s leadership in research and innovation. Thank you for your commitment to accuracy, transparency, and accountability.
