No-Cost Extensions [1]
The need and request for no-cost extensions is by far the most common post award action that OPAM handles. While the rationale/justification and information required to put a request forward is fairly consistent among all sponsors, the process involved in making and submitting the request varies between them. In general requests should explain why the project goals/work cannot be completed within the awarded period of performance, the circumstances that delayed the progress, and the plan for completing the work during the extension period. No-cost extensions should never be requested for the sole purpose of spending down residual funds.
OPAM has updated its website to give you a quick way to access a particular sponsor and view explicit step-by-step guides to preparing and submitting a request for a no-cost extension. Follow this link to a list of sponsors, click on the sponsor you need, and it will open the guidance document. https://www.umass.edu/research/awards/administration/no-cost-extensions/sponsor-specific-instructions [2]
We hope this will help to clarify and streamline the process for your particular needs.