Effort Certification Cycles

The University manages effort by dividing the fiscal year into two effort reporting periods, also known as certification cycles. Certification is completed using either the electronic ECRT system or the approved manual effort certification statement template.

Certification cycle 1 comprises pay periods 1 through 13 and certification cycle 2 comprises pay periods 14 through 26.

The following list provides information on the compliance requirements for the current effort certification process. This list is updated each fiscal year and listings for prior years are archived.
 

 
Certification Cycle 1, FY 2026

Date 
December 14, 2025Performance Period 1 ends (Pay Periods 1-13)
December 24, 2025Pay Period 13 posts, Pre-Review Periods begins
February 9, 2026Effort statements available for certification in ECRT System
March 20, 2026Effort certification due date; Statements must be Certified and Approved
March 23, 2026First compliance letter sent by Effort Unit Manager
April 6, 2026Second compliance letter sent by Associate Director
April 10, 2026Retro Redistributions (RTD’s) require OCA approval starting on this date
April 20, 2026Third compliance letter sent by Associate Vice President
April 23, 2026Final cut-off to certify statements
April 24, 2026RIO notified to remove salary charges from statements not Certified and Approved

Certification Cycle 2, FY 2026

Date 
June 14, 2026Performance Period 2 ends (Pay Periods 14-26)
June 24, 2026Pay Period 26 posts, Pre-Review Period begins
August 10, 2026Effort statements available for certification in ECRT System
September 18, 2026Effort certification due date; Statements must be Certified and Approved
September 21, 2026First compliance letter sent by Effort Unit Manager
October 5, 2026Second compliance letter sent by Associate Director
October 9, 2026Retro Redistributions (RTD’s) require OCA approval starting on this date
October 19, 2026Third compliance letter sent by Associate Vice President
October 22, 2026Final cut-off to certify statements
October 23, 2026RIO notified to remove salary charges from statements not Certified and Approved

 

Important Dates

The effort department has created the following documents showing the important effort certification compliance dates for each effort cycle by fiscal year.

Pay Period Schedules

The effort department has also prepared a chart showing which payroll periods fall within which fiscal periods for each fiscal year to assist with the effort reporting process.