Effort Calculation & Conversion

Effort Calculation and Conversion to Calendar Months

Effort represents the proportion of an individual’s total institutional activities (instruction, research, service, and administration) dedicated to a specific project or sponsored activity. It is expressed as a percentage of 100% effort, regardless of the number of hours worked.

Converting Percent Effort to Calendar Months

For proposal budgeting and reporting, effort is often expressed in calendar months (CM). This allows for consistent representation of effort across sponsors and project periods.

To convert percent effort to calendar months:

Calendar Months = (Percent Effort ÷ 100) × 12

Examples:

• 10% effort = 1.2 calendar months
• 25% effort = 3.0 calendar months
• 50% effort = 6.0 calendar months

This conversion assumes a 12-month appointment. For individuals on 9-month appointments, effort should still be calculated against their total institutional effort, with any summer effort budgeted separately as appropriate.

Important Considerations

• Total effort across all activities cannot exceed 100%.
• Effort commitments should reflect a reasonable estimate of the work required to complete the proposed project.
• Salary charges must align with the committed level of effort.
• Effort is not based on hours worked, but on the proportion of overall institutional responsibilities.