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 incorporating new federal directives or changing policy into your work processes, please consult the assigned Award Management Team member in the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects (ORSP) to ensure the proper course of action.
We also welcome your feedback, insight and questions at [email protected].
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...
Key federal updates, including guidance from specific agencies
(UPDATED Feb. 10 at 9:15 a.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 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Federal funding freeze rescinded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...
Conversation with Neil Canfield – January 2025
Neil Canfield, the university’s executive director of federal relations and federal research, works closely with academic leaders, faculty and staff across all campuses, informing and advising them on federal legislative, regulatory and research policy developments...