What is 'effort reporting' in the context of federally funded research?

Effort reporting in the context of federally funded research refers to the systematic documentation of the percentage of time that researchers, faculty, and staff spend on various projects, especially those that are federally funded. This practice is crucial for compliance with federal regulations that require institutions to ensure that personnel are appropriately compensated for their contributions, aligning their reported effort with the budgeted amounts.

Federal guidelines mandate that institutions accurately document and report the effort of individuals involved in research projects. This helps in establishing the amount of time dedicated to federally reimbursed activities and ensures that salary distributions are justifiable based on time spent working on specific grants or contracts. Effort reporting is essential not only for adhering to accountability standards but also for managing budgetary constraints and ensuring that federal funds are used effectively.

In contrast, reporting findings to the public pertains to disseminating research outcomes, while documenting expenses centers on financial accounting rather than time allocation. Tracking grant application statuses involves monitoring the progress of proposals, which, while important, does not focus on the time commitment of personnel engaged in the research activities. Therefore, the emphasis on time spent across funded projects is what encapsulates the essence of effort reporting.