Sponsored Research Services RIT Researcher News

Program or technical reporting is sometimes an inconvenient part of a sponsored project, but it is also a very necessary part.  Reporting is often the best way of keeping the program officer or sponsor in the loop.  Timely program reports are also an excellent way to maintain a favorable relationship with the sponsoring agency or company.  If the project is doing well, then the funding has been well spent and the program officer looks good.  Even if the project is going great, how will the program officer or sponsor ever know that without receiving regular reports?

Delinquent reports can also hit a project where it hurts: in the bank.  Federal agencies especially are becoming stricter about reporting quality and deadlines.  Late reports can impact pending proposals for the PI or Co-PIs.  RIT as a whole may also be suspended from receiving funding from the sponsoring agency if reports continue to be delinquent.

How SRS can help
When a new award is received, SRS will contact the PI about scheduling a Project Initiation Meeting (PIM).  At the PIM, SRS will go over the terms and conditions of the sponsored project, including any reporting deadlines, format, and submission method.  SRS will also offer the use of its database to remind the PI via email when reporting deadlines are approaching.

Things to remember

• Some sponsoring agencies/companies require the financial reporting and technical reporting to be submitted together.  In these cases, submission of the report must be coordinated with Sponsored Programs Financial Management Services (SPFMS).
• Review the contents of a report with all Co-PIs prior to submission
• Review a sponsor online reporting system well in advance of the deadline.  For example many PIs are familiar with submitting proposals through NSF's very user friendly Fastlane system.  Unfortunately, it isn't quite as user friendly when it comes time to submit reports. 
• Timely program reporting can make a significant difference in the way the project is viewed by the sponsoring agency or company.  It can mean the difference between continued funding and a cancelled program. 

If you have any questions about program reporting or RIT's policies and procedures regarding sponsored programs, contact Kate Clark or Shane Crounse in Sponsored Research Services.