The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is preparing for a major shift in how effort is certified on sponsored research projects, following recent revisions to the University of Tennessee System’s effort certification policy (FI0215). The update represents one of the most significant changes to UTHSC’s research compliance processes in recent years, aiming to make certifications “easier to review, more accurate, and less frequent,” while still aligning with federal regulations.
Under the updated policy, the DASH Research Employee Compensation Compliance (ECC) module will move to a project payroll confirmation approach. Instead of each individual team member certifying their own effort, principal investigators (PIs) will now verify consolidated project statements. According to the announcement, PIs will “certify project statements, confirming the accuracy of labor charges for all project personnel.”
This transition marks the end of the previous method, where individual effort statements were required from every employee involved. As the notice explains, “These individual effort statements have now been removed, and they will no longer require certification in ECC.”
Beginning in mid-December, PIs will receive notifications prompting them to certify project statements for spring and summer 2025. University officials stressed that timely action is essential. Failure to certify on schedule could create federal compliance risks and delays in project processing.
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“It is essential that you complete your certification promptly and no later than the deadline listed in the notification,” the announcement states, noting that timely completion is “critical to maintaining compliance with federal and UT System requirements.”
UTHSC has also made additional resources available to help faculty and staff navigate the new process. Guidance materials, FAQs, and self-study tools can be found on the DASH Research SharePoint. Staff members are encouraged to reach out for support if needed:
University officials emphasized their appreciation for researcher cooperation during this transition. “Thank you in advance for your timely attention to this important compliance requirement,” the message concluded.
The change follows other recent updates to streamline the DASH research environment, reduce administrative burdens, and strengthen oversight across the UT System. The move to the Project Payroll Confirmation Method aligns UTHSC with national best practices and is expected to reduce confusion, improve audit readiness, and create clearer documentation for sponsored projects going forward.
Originally reported by The University Of Tennessee.
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