A no-cost extension (NCE) is the extension of a project period at no additional cost to the sponsor. If the project’s award period is ending, but research needs to continue, a NCE allows the end date to be extended to complete the work.
Each sponsor has specific requirements for when and how to request an extension.
Most federal agencies allow a one-time NCE while subsequent extensions will require prior agency approval. Onetime NCEs are usually up to twelve (12) months and require that SPA notify the sponsor of the extension prior to the project end date. Nonfederal sponsors may have other requirements. Review your award terms closely and contact SPA with any questions.
When an NCE requires prior agency approval, the sponsor retains the right to deny the request. Examples of reasons to deny a request are:
Submit your request to SPA at asosp@niu.edu at least sixty (60) to ninety (90) days before the end date to allow sufficient time for review and, if necessary, approval from the agency.
Provide the following information with your request:
An Award Coordinator from SPA’s Award Acceptance team will contact you to confirm the request and work with you to complete the necessary notification or request to your sponsor. SPA will enact extensions requiring agency approval once sponsor approval is received.
To expedite review, be sure to explain your situation clearly including why you need additional time. For example, perhaps you need more time due to one of the following:
It is also important to explain how you will complete the work. Important details for this include:
Sponsors require NCE requests be submitted prior to the award’s current end date. If a no cost extension is not submitted to the agency within the appropriate timeframe, it will be treated as a subsequent NCE subject to prior agency approval.
Pre-award and Proposals
asosp@niu.edu
Post-award and Award Management
GrantsFiscal@niu.edu
InfoEd Questions
erahelp@niu.edu