UPDATE (4.17.25): The following FAQ document has been updated to reflect new details of the university research funding program.
On March 12, the University of Michigan shared an overview of a new research funding program that has been developed in response to federal stop-work orders impacting the university’s research enterprise.
The following FAQ is intended to provide a high-level overview of the funding program and to answer questions top-of-mind for the research community. It will be updated on a regular basis.
What types of stoppages in funding are eligible under this program?
This program supports researchers who have received a termination of funding or permanent stop-work order from a federal agency. Funding delays and typical grant life-cycle non-renewals are not included at this time.
Researchers should contact their dean’s office to understand if their work is eligible to be funded through this new program. Individual faculty will not apply directly to the program.
What is the role of the dean under this new program?
Requests for funding will be submitted by the dean’s office of each respective school and college. The request will require attestation that the submission meets the program requirements, which include documentation that the funding requested is for a grant that has received a formal termination of funding or permanent stop-work order from a federal agency.
Individual faculty will not apply directly to the program.
Are there certain criteria the unit must meet to access funds?
The funding is available to researchers who have received a formal termination of funding or permanent stop-work order from a federal agency. The application must be submitted from the appropriate dean’s office. Funding must be for U-M specific costs. Costs for expenses at subrecipient organizations are not eligible.
Proposals will consist of an application document that will be brief explanations of the impact of the termination of funding or permanent stop-work order on research staff, faculty, students, post-doctoral fellows, human research participants and research infrastructure. All proposals must be approved and submitted by the applicant’s dean or institute leadership prior to submission. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted.
What is the process for reviewing funding applications?
Applications will undergo review by ORSP and Sponsored Programs to confirm eligibility and ensure submission accuracy.
How long will the program provide support?
The program will provide up to six months of coverage, taking into account the remaining duration of the grant that was unexpectedly terminated.
What portion of research costs will this new program cover?
Collectively, we have identified a fixed amount of institutional financial resources that are ready to be deployed to meet up to half of eligible expenses, with units covering the remaining portion. Units are responsible for recommending the match against central funds that they are seeking.
What expenses does the funding cover?
Central funding can be used to:
- Provide salaries, benefits, supplies, and other needed direct expenses for employees, PhD students, and postdocs who cannot be reassigned to other work and have lost salary coverage as a result of cancellation of the federal grant.
- Safely wind down certain studies involving human subjects.
Note that equipment would generally not be eligible, unless it is necessary to protect the life, health, or safety of participants.
Would units be required to repay if funding is ultimately restored?
If retroactive funding is restored, units would be required to repay central funding.
When does the new program go into effect?
It is effective immediately. We will evaluate initial funding decisions and reassess the current amount of funding reserved for this program on a quarterly basis, at minimum.
Who does this program apply to?
This program applies to our Ann Arbor, Flint and Dearborn campuses, as well as Michigan Medicine.