Funding Transition Updates: Please see Federal Transition Updates 2025 for the latest federal executive orders and research activities.
Award Reporting
The reporting of financial and programmatic information is a key feature of an award lifecycle and closeout. As a global research institution, the George Washington University (GW) regularly collaborates with a wide range of governmental and private sponsors and requires prompt and satisfactory completion of sponsor reporting requirements. Because reporting requirements vary by sponsor and award, it is important to carefully review the terms and conditions of each individual award to determine the specific reporting requirements.
Process
- At the time of the award setup, the OSP Award Management Specialist (SPA) establishes deliverable reminders for non-financial reports in myResearch to facilitate timely reporting.
- The Principal Investigator (PI) is responsible for the satisfactory completion of technical reports. Research Support Team (RST) personnel can assist with the non-technical information included in the report.
- Technical reports that do not require an Authorized Official's signature are submitted directly by the PI to the sponsor. If the report is not submitted via a sponsor portal accessible by OSP, a copy must be uploaded into myResearch for GW documentation retention.
- Non-financial reports requiring signature and submission from an Authorized Official are submitted by the RST to OSP via the Award Modification Request (AMR) function in myResearch three business days before the sponsor's submission deadline.
- The OSP Award Management SPA coordinates and finalizes the submission of certain non-technical reports, such as invention and property reports requested by the sponsor.
Note: Grants and Contracts Accounting Services (GCAS) manages the preparation and filing of invoices and financial reports.
Resources
- GW Processes (GW Login Required)
- Award Deliverables Setup: myResearch
- Grants and Contracts Accounting Services (GCAS) Financial Reporting
- Labor and Effort Reporting
- Equipment: Fixed Asset Management
- Financial Details: PI Dashboard
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why does GW require the timely submission of reports?
Sponsored projects are legal agreements, and GW requires the prompt submission of reports to ensure compliance with the award terms and conditions. Delayed or inaccurate reporting can lead to suspension or termination of projects, delays in future funding, audits, and even debarment from other projects. Late reports also negatively impact the investigator’s and the institution’s reputation with the sponsor.
- What types of reports are required by sponsors?
Most sponsors typically require financial, progress, property, and patent reports. Progress reports generally need to include updated support for key personnel. Certain sponsors may also require reporting related to research milestones or draft updates. Sponsor requirements must be followed when preparing and submitting reports. Additionally, when GW receives a subaward from another institution, the reports are submitted to the institution as the direct sponsor, not the prime agency.
- How does OSP manage overdue reports?
The OSP Award Management SPA contacts the PI and the RST when a report becomes overdue. If a response is not received within the specified period, the SPA may request assistance from the OSP Award Management Assistant Director (AD). Further delays in report submission can result in escalation to the PI’s departmental leadership, Associate Dean of Research, and the Office of the Vice Provost for Research.
- How do I find the list of deliverables associated with an award in myResearch?
PIs and research support staff with access privileges can select the deliverables tab from the award’s landing page. Since the OSP Award Management SPAs are responsible for setting up deliverables, any concerns related to the checklist should be addressed directly with them.
- Which GW personnel can receive pending deliverable alerts from myResearch?
PIs and the RST award contact are always selected to receive deliverable notifications from myResearch. Additional GW personnel may be added to the notification list upon request by the PI and RST.
- How does the university manage reports requiring the Authorized Organization Representative’s (AOR) certification?
GW authorizes select personnel in OSP to certify reports on behalf of the university. Reports requiring certification and submission from the GW AOR must be routed by the RST to OSP via the Award Modification Request (AMR) in myResearch at least three business days prior to the sponsor submission deadline to allow for timely review and approvals. PIs and other research support staff must not certify reports as authorized officials on behalf of the university.
Support
- Research Support Teams
- Office of Sponsored Projects Teams
- For assistance with myResearch, email myresearch
gwu [dot] edu (myresearch[at]gwu[dot]edu)