There is poor coordination between the expectations fo the agencies and the UW procedures. The only assitance I have received is a reminder and packet. This has been a major problem with two of our recent contact renewals. Our recent renewals have resulted in new budget numbers. The numbers are not established at the time of the award, we end up spending on the previous budget which then goes into deficit, and then we have to arrange for journal vouchering of that deficit to the new budget number.
Suggestion Maintain the same budget number on renewals and supplements.
This occured with a non-competetive renewal, where after I had laboriously filled out all the forms sent to me, our local administrator told me I could and should have filled out the SNAP forms. More time wasted and more hoops. The letter of intent process is somehow often mysterious to departmental staff. The committment by UW of participating institutions without appropriate letter of intent from participating institution is very problematic. Again, the process of obtaining signature on even renewals, is time consuming and inefficient.