Following up on the January 1, 2026, Award Verification Tool announcement, the project to eliminate verification requirements for non-federal-sponsored awards and to separate the display of federal and non-federal awards in the tool and on schedule to be implemented on March 9, 2026. These updates will streamline processes, reduce workloads, and enhance efficiency, enabling departments and Principal Investigators (PIs) to concentrate on federally funded projects while minimizing administrative burdens.

Key Updates:

• Non-Federal Awards: Certification will no longer be required once the enhancement is implemented.
• Quarterly Escalation Notifications: Contracts & Grants Accounting will issue notifications only for federal awards that remain out of compliance.
• Redesigned AV Tool Layout: Dedicated tabs improve clarity and usability:
  • Federal Verification – lists all federal awards requiring verification.
  • Non-Federal Awards – visible for transparency but no longer part of the verification workflow.
  • Total Sponsored Awards – consolidated view of federal and non-federal awards.
  • Non-Sponsored Projects – separated for clear portfolio visibility.
• Central Cleanup of Non-Federal Awards: All non-federal award verifications will be systematically completed prior to the policy change to ensure data integrity, simplify the rollout of the new policy, and reduce the burden on PIs and administrative staff.

This redesign allows PIs to focus on awards that require verification while maintaining full visibility of their portfolio.

Support and Questions:

Award Verification Tool training materials and how-to guides are being updated to reflect the latest guidance and instructions.

If you have questions or need assistance, please join us during our CGA Compliance virtual office hours or contact the Compliance team directly to ensure you’re prepared for the upcoming changes.