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Introduction: A Principal Investigator has the choice of three options for extending a sponsored research award beyond the original date stipulated in the Notice of Award. The three options are:
- Apply for a no cost extension
- Apply for a noncompeting continuation
- Apply for a competing continuation
In many cases the sponsor or sponsor's terms of the award will determine which option is most appropriate. Each option also has financial implications for the researcher's award and Dartmouth College. These three options are described in the section following.
Non-Competing Continuation: If a sponsored research award has been approved for funding for more than one year, the Principal Investigator must complete a noncompeting continuation application annually. This application usually includes a report on the work completed to-date, a financial report, plans for the next award cycle's work, and a budget plan. Non-competing continuations imply that the sponsor recognizes the research as on-going and assumes that, as long as the research is going well and funding is available, the project will be funded for multiple years. Noncompeting continuations do not compete with new projects for a sponsor's funds. With a sponsor's approval, funds may also be carried over from project year to project year. Noncompeting continuations imply additional funding will be added to the total sponsored research award.
Competing Continuation: A competing continuation requests additional funds from a sponsor to continue the work of a previously funded project. Competing continuations compete with new applications for a sponsor's funds. If funds are not awarded to continue the project, and no additional funding from other sources is available, the project must be completed by the date indicated in the original Notice of Award.
No Cost Extension (NCE): No-cost extensions are requests to extend the termination date of a sponsored research award without additional funds. A Principal Investigator must have prior approval before the award is allowed to continue past the termination date stated in the Notice of Award. In instances where additional time is required to complete the award, the Principal Investigator should initiate a no-cost extension by sending a brief memo or blitzmail message to the appropriate OSP, Sponsored Research Manager with an explanation of the work-related need for the time extension and how available funds will be used. The request should be submitted at least 60 days before the scheduled termination date. As a general rule, no-cost extensions cannot be approved retroactive to the termination date stated in the Notice of Award.
After approving the request, OSP will forward the no cost extension request to the sponsor. If a sponsor has awarded expanded authority privileges to Dartmouth College, OSP may extend the expiration date of the project one time, for a period of up to 12 months. As its name implies, projects receiving no cost extensions do not receive additional funding from the sponsor. However, an approved no cost extension frequently requires minor alterations to the budget.
Quick Reference
No cost extension under FDP/Expanded Authorities
- One time no cost extension (up to 12 months)
- Request to OSP 60 days in advance
- Request generated by Principal Investigator
- 2nd or more no cost extension must do the following:
- Principal Investigator writes a detailed letter that:
- Requests the no cost extension
- How long no cost extension is needed
- How remaining money will be spent
- Why funds unspent and work not completed on time
- Needs to be signed by Principal Investigator
- Needs to be signed by OSP official
- 60 days in advance of current end date
- No cost extension under Non-FDP/Expanded Authorities
- Agency specific guidelines
- Principal Investigator writes a detailed letter that:
- Requests the no cost extension
- How long no cost extension is needed
- How remaining money will be spent
- Why funds unspent and work not completed on time
- Needs to be signed by Principal Investigator
- Needs to be signed by OSP official
- 60 days in advance of current end date
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