Progress Reports

Overview

Most sponsors require annual, interim and/or final progress reports be submitted to report objectives and deliverables accomplished. Our Grant Specialists are responsible for reviewing and submitting progress reports to the sponsor on behalf of the PI, when the submission must be performed by an Authorized Official for the University. PIs are encouraged to reach out and alert their Grant Specialist at least ten (10) business days prior to submission of the report. The distribution of responsibilities of the various University offices involved regarding the preparation and submission of Progress Reports can be found in the Roles & Responsibilities Matrix.

DHHS Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs)

A Research Performance Progress Report (“RPPR”) is an annually required report to document grantee accomplishments and compliance with the terms of a DHHS award. An RPPR is mandatory for all SNAP and Fellowship DHHS awards for the reporting due date on or after 5/15/2013.

All DHHS RPPRs must be submitted by the AOR on behalf of the PI and the Institution.

If an RPPR is required, the report is initiated and completed in eRA Commons by the Principal PI. Please note that detailed budget is not required (unless specified), information is prefilled from eRA Commons, where possible, and all NIH compliance and policy questions must be answered. Upon successful completion of the RPPR, the PI must route the report to our Grant Specialist for review. If amenable, the Grant Specialist will submit the RPPR on behalf of the PI and the institution. For more information regarding the RPPR, see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/rppr/.

Types of NIH RPPRs
  1. Annual RPPR - This report provides a description of an award’s scientific progress, identifies significant changes, reports on personnel effort and describes plans for the subsequent budget period or year.
  2. Final RPPR - This report is part of the award closeout process and provides information on the project outcomes in addition to the information submitted on the annual RPPR, except budget and plans for the upcoming year.
  3. Interim RPPR - This report is required when submitting a renewal (Type 2) application. If the Type 2 is not funded, the Interim RPPR will serve as the Final RPPR for the project. If the Type 2 is funded, the Interim RPPR will serve as the annual RPPR for the final year of the previous competitive segment. The data elements collected on the Interim RPPR are the same as for the Final RPPR, including project outcomes.
Annual NIH RPPR Due Dates

Streamlined Non-Competing Award Process (SNAP) RPPRs are due approximately 45 days before the next budget period start date.

Non-SNAP RPPRs are due approximately 60 days before the next budget period start date.

Multi-year funded (MYF) RPPRs are due annually on or before the anniversary of the budget/project period start date of the award.

The exact start date for a specific award may be found on the award’s Notice of Award (NOA), as well as under the specific award’s "Status" in the eRA Commons.

Interim and Final NIH RPPR Dues Dates

One hundred and twenty (120) days from period of performance end date for the competitive segment.

NSF Progress Reports

The National Science Foundation (NSF) requires that all progress reports be submitted via Research.gov by the Principal PI or Co-Principal PI.  Research.gov is the modernization of FastLane. Please see NSF Progress Reports for more information.

Annual, Interim and Final Reports
  1. Annual project reports are required for all standard and continuing grants and cooperative agreements. The PI must submit this report no later than 90 days prior to the end of the current budget period.
  2. Final reports are required for all standard and continuing grants, cooperative agreements, and fellowships. The PI is encouraged to submit this report 90 days after the expiration date of the award.  If the report is not submitted within 120 days of the expiration date, it will appear as overdue in Research.gov and notification will be sent out by the Sponsor.
  3. Interim project reports are not required and are used to update the progress of a project any time during or before the award period expires.

All submitted annual and final reports must be approved by an NSF Program Officer to meet the submission requirements.

Project Outcome Reports

Project Outcomes Report is a report written for new and existing awards, specifically for the public, that provides insight into the outcomes of NSF-funded research. Project Outcome Reports can be viewed through Research Spending & Results search service. This report consists of two (2) to three (3) paragraphs and it is written for the general public. Project Outcome Reports are not reviewed or approved by NSF

For further information regarding Progress Reports, please refer to the Project Report Starting Guide and Project Reports FAQs.