Posted: January 30, 2025

We want to provide an important update on recent federal directives affecting sponsored research activities. While the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum M-25-13 has been rescinded and federal payments for grants and loans have resumed, Trump Administration executive orders and agency-issued guidance remain in effect.

Federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy (DOE), and NASA, have issued directives restricting specific activities within grants, particularly those related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). Investigators with NSF awards, for example, have been instructed to cease “all non-compliant grant and award activities,” which may include conferences, training, workshops, and broader impact activities centered on DEIA principles. Similar guidance from other agencies suggests that these restrictions apply broadly across federal funding.

To ensure compliance and maintain awards in good standing, all investigators must follow sponsor instructions and immediately suspend activities that violate these directives. If you receive a specific stop work order or a direct notification—whether for an entire project or for particular activities within a project—please forward it to your contracts and grants specialist (CGS) and Cynthia Kane for review. Our team is working closely with the colleges to support faculty in responding appropriately.

We recognize the significant challenges these rapidly evolving policies create, especially for long planned and deeply valued research efforts. There is still considerable ambiguity regarding what is and is not permitted. We strongly encourage you to consult with your program officers for award-specific clarification and reach out to any of us with any concerns. As you are preparing new proposals, you can also contact Kate Bullard whose team is working closely with investigators to write broader impact and other sections.

We appreciate your patience and commitment as we navigate these changes together.

Anand Jagota
Vice Provost for Research

Cynthia Kane
Associate Vice Provost for Research

Dominic Packer
Associate Vice Provost for Research