Progress Reports: Plan Ahead for Success
Timely submission of progress reports is essential to maintaining funding, demonstrating project progress and ensuring continued compliance with sponsor requirements. When reports become overdue, sponsors may delay award actions, withhold funding, postpone modifications or place future funding decisions on hold until reporting requirements are met. Recent sponsor communications with OSPA have highlighted that these consequences are actively being enforced.
PIs should begin preparing progress reports well before sponsor deadlines and work to meet internal submission deadlines established by their department and Sponsored Projects Services (SPS).
Allowing adequate time for internal review is critical. Progress reports often require administrative, financial and compliance review before they can be submitted to the sponsor. Submitting materials early gives SPS staff time to thoroughly review the report, verify information, address questions and resolve any issues before the sponsor deadline.
Progress reports are also an important opportunity to review project spending. Significant unobligated balances may prompt sponsor questions regarding project progress and the rate at which funds are being used to support the approved scope of work. Early review of financial data can help identify concerns and provide appropriate context when needed.
PIs should review the reporting requirements outlined in the Project Account Data Record (PADR) issued when the sponsored project account is established, as it identifies key reporting obligations associated with the award. Please contact your CGS Grants Specialist if you have questions about the required technical progress reports.
Planning ahead, meeting internal deadlines and allowing sufficient review time help to ensure accurate, complete and on-time submissions while supporting the success of your sponsored projects.