January – April 2026 effort statements will be available to effort coordinators for pre-review beginning May 8th for salaried employees and May 3rd for hourly employees. If you observe unusual effort percentages, please reach out to SPARhelp for assistance.
The May-August SPARs will be available May 8th. Once available, please review the SPARs in your area to identify any sponsored project for which the end date has passed before May monthly payroll is distributed. Zeroing out lines for closed federal awards will prevent the initial distribution and subsequent reversal of pay which creates 0% federal lines requiring PI certification. These 0% lines create frustration among PIs and can be easily prevented by attention to closed awards in the first month of a new academic term/SPAR period.
As a reminder, departments should be setting up timely 05 Advance Accounts rather than using an 02 or 04 holding account when awaiting an agreement. Please follow the Effort Documentation Required When Advanced Account Request is Delayed guidance for situations when effort begins before an account number is available.