Tracking Federal Changes 2025
The start of a new presidential administration brings change to the policies and priorities of our nation’s federal agencies. OVPR will use this space to highlight important updates impacting the University of Michigan research enterprise.
Important Note for Researchers and Research Administrators:
Before implementing new federal directives or policy changes, consult your assigned Award Management Team member in the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects (ORSP) to ensure compliance. If you receive directives, certifications or requests for attestations related to an agreement’s terms, coordinate with your research administrator and the ORSP Award Management Team to address them. As a reminder, contractual documents, certifications and other binding documents must be executed by ORSP on behalf of the institution.
Courts block DoD indirect cost cap, restore DEI-related NIH grants
A federal judge has issued a nationwide temporary restraining order blocking the U.S. Department of Defense from capping indirect cost reimbursement rates at 15% for new or existing federal research awards. The cap would have replaced currently authorized federally...
Update on Office of Naval Research communication to grant recipients
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) has begun contacting its funding recipients to let them know it is implementing the Department of Defense’s (DoD) recently announced 15% indirect cost cap for its future and existing DoD assistance awards. There is nothing for...
Upholding Integrity in Research
Dear Colleagues, As one of the world’s leading research institutions, the University of Michigan plays a pivotal role in saving lives, advancing our understanding of the world, and improving the quality of life for people across our state and nation. This is a place...
NSF to require certification on Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs
The National Science Foundation has announced a new annual certification requirement for Principal Investigators (PIs) and co-Principal Investigators (co-PIs). It regards participation in Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs (MFTRPs). This policy applies to all...
Department of Defense announces indirect cost rate cap
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) will cap indirect cost rates at 15% for all new grants for universities, according to a May 14 memorandum. While the policy does not apply retroactively to existing awards, the memo states that the department will engage in an...
NSF indirect cost rate change
Dear Colleagues, The National Science Foundation (NSF) will apply a standard 15% indirect cost rate to all new university grants, according to a May 2 policy memo. The 15% rate applies only to new awards made to institutions of higher education on or after May 5. The...
Reconciliation, Passbacks, and Research Funding: A Quick Guide
Members of the university community – especially within the research community – have raised questions about future federal funding levels. While the outlook remains uncertain, it is helpful to understand the budget processes involved and how they might affect the...
Update on NIH certification policy
Dear Colleagues, The university is reviewing a new policy memo issued Monday by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH memo describes a new condition for any organization that receives new awards, continuing awards, renewed awards or supplemental awards from...
University Message on Funding Program for Federal Grant and Contract Stop-Work Orders
UPDATE (4.17.25): Currently, the university's research funding program only applies to stop-work orders and funding terminations. Dear Research Community, We recognize the difficulties of this time, and the many concerns about if, when and how the work our...
Details on New Research Funding Program
UPDATE (4.17.25): The following post 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...