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No-Cost Extensions
On this page:
No-Cost Extension Requests
Effort During No-Cost Extension Periods
Sponsor Systems
A no-cost extension (NCE) extends the award period beyond the original award end date, allowing more time for the original scope of work funded by the sponsor to be completed. NCEs are not permitted solely for the purpose of expending the remaining balance on an award. All NCEs require programmatic justification, including a description of the remaining work to be completed during the NCE period.
No-Cost Extension Requests
Each award must be reviewed for terms and conditions related to NCEs. Some sponsors do not allow any extension, some require sponsor prior approval, and some allow UF to exercise a one-time extension at UF’s discretion. In order for DSP to provide support in making this determination, all NCE requests must be routed through UFIRST via an award modification no later than 30 days before the award’s current expiration date, unless earlier notification is required by the sponsor. If this deadline is missed, DSP may not be able to exercise its ability to extend the award or an award which had allowed UF to extend at its own discretion may now require sponsor prior approval.
- Instruction guide for the NCE award modification process
In most cases, NCE requests are required to be countersigned or endorsed by a DSP authorized official before being sent to the sponsor. If required, attach a request letter on department letterhead in the UFIRST award modification. If additional documents are required by the sponsor, such as a budget for the remaining funds or a progress report, attach these in UFIRST. All mod smartform pages should be completed to reflect the anticipated change.
DSP will review the request and determine if the extension can be authorized at UF’s discretion or if sponsor prior approval is required. Once any necessary approval is obtained, DSP will finalize the award modification and extend the award end date.
Effort During No-Cost Extension Periods
Sponsors expect that the original award terms and conditions, including commitments of the PI and all key personnel, extend throughout the award period, including an NCE period. The UF Commitment Entry Guidelines indicate how commitments will be tracked during an NCE period. If a change to committed effort which requires sponsor prior approval is needed during the NCE period, this change should be included in the NCE request.
Sponsor Systems
Some sponsors require NCE requests to be submitted through online grants management systems. If the unit initiates the NCE request in these systems, DSP requires a UFIRST award modification be submitted to DSP before DSP will review and submit the request to the sponsor. Systems include:
Last updated 2/20/25