Extramural Grants
What a PI needs to know about reporting requirements for a stimulus (ARRA) award
This is an update from June 16, 2009 about reporting requirements for a stimulus (ARRA) award.
- Stimulus funding comes with additional, NEW reporting responsibilities for the PI.
- ARRA awards will be characterized by OMB as “high-risk” and are more likely to be audited.
- NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THESE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF FUNDING.
- Reporting obligations may vary by funding agency, so READ your award notice carefully.
- ADHERE to quarterly reporting DEADLINES. First post-award reports will be due October 10, 2009. Subsequent reports will be due no later than 10 calendar days after the end of each calendar quarter, e.g., January 10, 2010, April 10, 2010, July 10, 2010, etc. For awards funded prior to July 10, 2009, the October 10, 2009 report should provide cumulative data from the start date
REPORTS MUST INCLUDE:
- Financial data: funds received, funds expended, and funds obligated.
- A narrative progress report that includes: the name of the project, a description of activity during the quarter, an estimate of the completion status of the project, an estimate of the number of jobs created and retained, and additional reporting requirements for infrastructure grants.
- Reports MUST INCLUDE the same information as above for sub-awards of more than $25,000, therefore this information must be collected from sub-award recipients prior to the quarterly deadline.
- Reports will be submitted via an OMB website (www.federalreporting.gov – not yet active), although it is not clear who will be submitting reports, the PI or the institution.
- ALL DOCUMENTATION and supporting records for financial and progress reports must be RETAINED for audit and inspection purposes for 7 years AFTER the award end date. We are exploring central storage options to accommodate such records.
What a PI needs to know about spending stimulus funding
- ARRA funds will be accounted for separately from non-ARRA funds, even if both are for the same project.
- Spend ARRA money quickly – funds not spent within 12 months may be reallocated by the funding agency.
- Spend ARRA money APPROPRIATELY - ALLOWABLE costs incurred on a specific ARRA award MUST be charged to the project account for that ARRA award.
- ARRA funds may NOT be carried over to any other project, but a 1-year no-cost extension can be requested for ARRA-funded projects.
- Funds from regular grants may NOT be carried over to ARRA awards.
Additional guidance will be provided as new information from OMB becomes available. Questions…email stimulus@uab.edu .
