Recent updates to the University of Tennessee System effort certification policy (FI0215) will change the way personnel effort is certified on sponsored projects. Certifications will be easier to review, more accurate, and less frequent, while still ensuring responsiveness to federal requirements.
What does this mean for me?
The DASH Research Employee Compensation Compliance (ECC) module will transition to the project payroll confirmation method. Under this approach, project principal investigators will certify project statements, which include confirming the accuracy of labor costs on behalf of all other project personnel.
What has changed?
This is a departure from the previous process, which required both PI and non-PI faculty project personnel to individually certify their effort. These effort statements have been eliminated, and their certification will no longer be required in the ECC module.
On Monday, December 15, 2025, principal investigators of sponsored projects received notices to certify consolidated project statements for Spring and Summer 2025. Once project statements have been pre-reviewed by the assigned effort coordinator, you may review and certify. If you are the project principal investigator of a sponsored project, please watch for the notification and complete your certification by January 30, 2026.
What if I have questions or would like additional information?
Additional information about the ECC module, including self-study materials, is available on the DASH Research SharePoint. If you have questions or need support completing your certification, please contact:
Dash Research Project Team – dash_research@tennessee.edu
Or
Brenda Murrell, AVC of Sponsored Programs – bmurrell@uthsc.edu
Wesley Byerly, Sr. AVC of Research – wbyerly1@uthsc.edu
Please keep in mind that the university observes end-of-year closures and staff may be on personal leave during this period. Responses to emails, phone calls, and TDX support tickets will be addressed as soon as possible once administrators return to the office. Thank you for your understanding and patience.