Award verification is UCSF's procedure to support Principal Investigators (PIs) in meeting the requirements of the Uniform Guidance for federal awards.

Award verification activities are conducted and documented using the Award Verification Tool. The Award Principal Investigator must verify at least quarterly that payroll and other expenses for each of their sponsored awards (including privately funded sponsored awards) are allowable, allocable and reasonable.

Progress reports are sponsor required reports providing specific information about the activities and accomplishments of a PI during a budget/project period of a grant. Depending on the sponsor, progress reports may include only narrative information or only financial information, or both, and may be required at varying intervals (e.g., annually, bi-annually, etc.).

• Summary of NIH Policy regarding Senior/Key Personnel and Key Investigator
• UCSF Library Guides and Resources
• Ask an Expert (UCSF Library)

For NIH Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPR)s:

During RPPR preparation, PI will need to address the following compliance question if there are any subawards on the project: 

Did the PI access subrecipient’s data/documentation that supports the research outcomes described in the Progress Report/RPPR to confirm that the performance outcomes reported are accurate and complete?

The question may be answered either:

• Yes, the PI accessed data/documents,
• No relevant data/documents to access.

If left unanswered, an error will prevent routing for approvals. Please direct any concerns/questions with accessing data/documents to the Research Security Program webpage. If concerns are specifically related to foreign government laws, regulations, or policies, please contact to [email protected].

The prime recipient has an essential obligation to oversee the work of subrecipients (both foreign and domestic) and as part of that oversight they need access to data/documentation that supports the performance outcomes, reported by subrecipients, to confirm that they are accurate, complete and properly reflect programmatic goals, as stated in the RPPR (NIH GPS 2.3.7.6). If requested by NIH or auditors, recipients are expected to provide access to such data (NIH GPS 8.4.2).

By checking the PI Assurances in eProposal, PIs attest that the information submitted within the application is true, complete and accurate to the best of the PI’s knowledge (NIH GPS 2.3.7.6).

Notify OSR

The Proposals and Grants team provide support for progress reports from all sponsor types except government and for-profit contracts.

Administrative Modifications are changes to an existing award that do not affect the approved budget total or the approved performance period of the award and are updated in the Research Administration System (RAS). Typically, prior approval from the Sponsor is required before the Administrative Modification can occur.  

Examples include: 

• Carryforward
• Change in Key Personnel
• Change in the Status of Award PD/PI and/or Administering Department
• No Cost Extension
• Re-budget
• Place or Lift of Restrictions

Learn more