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Training and Tools

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Effort Reporting and Research Administration online training offerings
Course Name Description Recommended Prerequisites Target Audience
Introduction to Research Administration at Northwestern This training program, managed by the Office for Research Integrity, provides an introductory overview of the Office for Research and related offices, research roles and responsibilities, regulatory fundamentals, research compliance, and key concepts essential to research administration.  The curriculum includes two Cost Studies courses which provide a high level overview of the following topics: Cost Principles, Facilities & Administrative Rate, Recharge Centers, Program Income (myHR Learn Class ID: IRA-COST-REC-0920-01); Cost Transfers, Compensation for Personal Services / Effort Reporting (myHR Learn Class ID: IRA-COST-REC-02). n/a Research, Financial, and ERS Administrators

Cost Principles for Sponsored Projects Administration  

Video

Slides

This course introduces the cost principles for how sponsored projects may be charged, and how these relate to federal regulations, sponsor expectations, and Northwestern’s own policies; includes information about related resources, and "check your knowledge" scenarios for self-test/study. n/a Research, Financial, and ERS Administrators

Introduction to Effort Reporting Online Mini Course      

Video                     

Slides (with audio transcription)                           

This short introductory course defines "effort" and describes the federal regulatory basis/how we comply, key principles, reporting scheduling and follow-up at Northwestern, and related training resources. Available as a narrated recording and as PDF with transcribed audio. n/a Research, Financial, and ERS Administrators; Faculty/Certifiers
Effort 101

Effort 101, “Introduction to Effort Reporting and Regulatory Compliance,” covers the Federal Regulatory Basis (Uniform Guidance), Northwestern Policies & Procedures, and Roles and Responsibilities.  This on-demand training can be completed in myHR Learn at any time. 

*Effort 101 and Effort 102 (in that order) are required to gain administrative access to ERS.
Introduction to Research Administration at Northwestern Research, Financial, and ERS Administrators; Faculty/Certifiers
Effort 102

Effort 102, “Hands-on Training Using the Effort Reporting System,” is a live hands on training for Effort Reporting System (ERS) Tasks/Navigation, including Pre Review, Certification, and Post Review.  Check myHR Learn to view and register for upcoming classes.  Prerequisite: Effort 101 must be completed prior to enrollment in Effort 102. 

*Effort 101 and Effort 102 (in that order) are required to gain administrative access to ERS.

Effort 101 (required) Research, Financial, and ERS Administrators

Post Review Mini Course     

Video (with demo) 

Slides

An in-depth training on how to Evaluate & Complete the Post Review task in the Effort Reporting System (ERS).  Available as a narrated recording with demo, and as PDF slides. Effort 101 & Effort 102 ERS Administrators

Cost Transfers: Best Practice Basics    

Video                     

Slides

Summarizes Cost Transfers guiding principles, risks, and Northwestern policy/procedures, and provides in depth discussion of related considerations for both salary and non-salary cost transfers. Available as a narrated recording and as PDF slides. myHR Learn Class ID IRA-COST-REC-02 (Cost Transfers / Compensation: Personal Services & Effort Reporting) and/or Effort 101 Research, Financial, and ERS Administrators

Managing Effort Commitments

Slides

This best practice reference and self-paced training guide is comprised of standalone modules explaining Effort Commitments & Fulfillment, Commitment Calculations & Conversions, Effort Changes & Prior Approvals, Managing Commitments on Late Agreements, and Calculating Commitments for Less Than 12 Month Budget Periods. Each includes "Test Your Knowledge" exercises to help you apply the presented concepts. Although modules are standalone, it is recommended to complete them in the order of presentation (each builds on prior module concepts). Effort 101 Research, Financial, and ERS Administrators
References and Tools pertaining to effort reporting, cost transfers, and salary planning
Resource Name Description
Over 90 Day Cost Transfer and Effort Reporting Checklist Identifies Policies and Procedures related to Over 90 Day Cost Transfers and Effort Reporting, and summarizes key requirements.
Over 90 Day Salary Journals: Best Practices Summarizes best practice review/documentation steps and considerations for preparing compliant over 90 day cost transfer journals.
Over 90 Day Salary Journal Memos: Dos and Don’ts Describes Dos & Don'ts for writing compliant salary cost transfer over 90 day memos, with examples of common reasons for rejection.
Institutional/Academic Base Salary Definitions Defines IBS/ABS and clarifies monthly contract vs compensation rates for 9 month appointments.
Academic & Summer Base Salary Calculation Tool for calculating Academic Base Salary, Monthly Earned Rate, and maximal allowed Summer Salary, for individuals with one or more 9 month appointments (or a combination of 9 month + 12 month appointments).
12-Month Salary Planning Template Salary plan template for 12 month appointments.
9-Month Salary Planning Template Salary plan template for 9 month appointments.  Note: Check if your School/Department has its own preferred template; if not, this tool may be used.
Common Calculations for Effort Reporting Formulas and examples for calculating person months/% Effort, and NIH/HHS Salary Cap.
NIH Salary Cap Calculation Tool

New!
Tool for calculating salary over the HHS/NIH cap (i.e. what % of base salary can be charged to the grant, vs. what % needs to be cost shared).  This tool can be used to plan future deployment using commitment, or verify if already deployed salary was charged appropriately based on certified effort.
ERS Assignment Screen-by-screen guide to accessing ERS and updating access / workflow assignments.
ERS Pre Review Screen-by-screen guide to accessing ERS and completing the pre review workflow task.
ERS Certification Screen-by-screen guide to accessing ERS and completing certification of effort reports (large format version of Job Aid).
ERS Post Review Screen-by-screen guide to accessing ERS and completing the post review workflow task (when required).
Effort Reporting System Terminology: ERS Glossary Defines common terminology and acronyms for roles and tasks in the Effort Reporting System (ERS).
Effort Reporting System Role Assignment Guidelines Describes ERS administrative roles and related responsibilities, the assignment process, and common administrative access scenarios.
Key Personnel Commitments: Determination, Fulfillment, % Calculation Defines "Key Personnel" and summarizes how their commitments are made and fulfilled. Describes how Person Month commitments are converted to %.
Commitments 101- Key Concepts Summarizes Commitments Key Concepts, including definition, fulfillment, changes (decrease/increase), and Northwestern's expectations.
Commitments 102- Person Month & Percent Conversions Defines various terms/acronyms used to express commitments (PM, CM, AM, SM) and provides calculation formulas and examples for converting from person months to percent and vice versa.
Commitments 103- Effort Reduction Provides formulas and examples for calculating percentage reduction from commitment, to aid in determining whether commitments are likely to be fulfilled within allowable thresholds, or if prior approval may be needed for the reduction.
Managing Commitments on Late Agreements Tips for managing effort commitments on late agreements in two scenarios: 1) work will start on the originally specified project period begin date; 2) work will start later than the originally specified project period begin date.