Continuation/Incremental/Option Period Funding

Releasing Continuation, Incremental, or Option Period Funding

Award documents generally specify a period of performance, which is the time between the start and end date of the award. The period of performance may include one or more budget periods. Although the award may specify a full period of performance, the sponsor is only committed to fund the currently-approved budget period. 

A budget period is the time between the start and end date of a funded portion of the award, during which the award recipient is authorized to incur financial obligations of the funds awarded. 

Some sponsors may specify a full period of performance in the award document and authorize all budget periods for spending at the onset of the award. Others may specify a full period of performance but only authorize the first budget period for spending. Subsequent budget periods are authorized for spending as continuation funding, usually annually or at option periods defined by the sponsor. DSP will release continuation funding when notified by the sponsor that the funds are now available. In some cases, the sponsor initiates the continuation funding action. In others, the PI must submit a progress report before the sponsor will release the funds. 

Common sponsors: 

• National Institutes of Health (NIH): Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs) must be submitted by the PI electronically via eRACommons either 45 or 60 days before the next budget period start date. Refer to eRA Commons and the notice of award for RPPR due dates. When the continuation funds are authorized, NIH sends a “Type 5” award to DSP.  DSP enters an award modification in UFIRST to release the next increment of funds for spending.
• National Science Foundation (NSF): For continuing grants, the annual project report must be submitted by the PI electronically via Research.gov at least 90 days prior to the end of the current budget period.

Last updated 11/15/24