Controller's Department

EASE Forms


EASE stands for Employee Activity Summary of Effort. EASE is a University form completed by most ISU employees twice a year to capture the types of activities or functions in which they are involved. Functions are categorized as Instruction, Research and Scholarship, Outreach, Administration, and Service/Other. There are four major reasons why Iowa State University has a process for gathering this information:

  • Completion of the form provides confirmation of direct personnel effort on federal and state sponsored programs. This confirmation is mandated by federal regulation.
  • Completion of the form documents cost share on sponsored programs. Mandatory cost share confirmation is also required by federal regulation.
  • The State of Iowa mandates the reporting of faculty and staff effort.
  • Information from the EASE forms is used by the University to make decisions related to research space needs.

    For additional information on the EASE form and reporting process, see the EASE training manual.

    Contact Pam Olson at 515-294-4569 with questions on EASE forms.