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.
NIH and future funding decisions
Dear Colleagues, The University of Michigan is aware that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has paused consideration of new grant applications, an action that will likely delay funding decisions about research projects. In particular, the NIH has stopped posting...
ORSP: Updates and guidance for federally sponsored projects
The University of Michigan Office of Research and Sponsored Projects published new guidance today for federally sponsored projects, including direction on proposal submissions, new and existing awards and certifications and attestations. The guidance is available at...
Key federal updates, including guidance from specific agencies
(UPDATED Feb. 13 at 3:45 p.m.) The University of Michigan is closely monitoring updates from federal agency partners regarding policy changes and evaluating their potential impact on the management of federally sponsored projects during this period of transition. Any...
UPDATE: NIH rate change blocked by federal judge
UPDATE (Feb. 11, 11 a.m.): Late Monday night, Judge Angel Kelley issued a restraining order that placed a temporary pause nationwide on plans by the NIH to cap indirect cost rates. - - - A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order shielding 22 states...
Update on NIH indirect cost rate cap
Dear Colleagues, On Friday, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced an indirect cost rate cap of 15% for new and existing grants. The new rate, which is proposed to go into effect Feb. 10, replaces previously negotiated rates with universities and research...
FAQs: Executive Orders and Research Funding
Over the past two weeks, many researchers have received communications from federal funding agencies. These communications describe ways in which agencies, or programs within agencies, may modify or terminate federal research grants to comply with various executive...
Federal funding freeze rescinded
Dear Colleagues, On Monday, an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo was set to pause many types of federal spending, including research grants and contracts. The memo’s stated purpose was to allow federal agencies to conduct a comprehensive review of programs...
UPDATE: Pause on grant funding blocked by federal judge
An Office of Management and Budget directive to federal agencies pausing federal funding has been temporarily blocked by a federal judge. The Jan. 27 directive called for a “temporary pause [on] all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal...
Message on pause to federal grants, loans
On Jan. 27, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a directive to federal agencies issuing a “temporary pause [on] all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance, and other relevant agency activities that may be...
VP Lupia message on NIH, changing federal priorities
Dear Colleagues, The start of a new presidential administration traditionally brings change to the policies and priorities of our nation’s federal agencies. As a partner in the federal research enterprise, many of these changes are relevant to the University of...