As you are likely aware, the federal grant landscape shifted quickly this week, and the situation remains fluid.

To summarize, the Trump Administration’s Office of Management and Budget issued a memo (M-25-13) late Monday, Jan. 27, calling for an immediate and temporary pause of agency, loan and other financial assistance programs. The full implications of the memo were unclear, and universities, nonprofits, health organizations and more were left scrambling to seek clarity. As of late this morning, the Trump administration rescinded the memo, thus ending the freeze. What remains in effect are President Trump’s Executive Orders (EO) targeting federal spending on diversity, equity and inclusion, the “Green New Deal” and foreign aid, as well as guidance to agencies to review programs.

We ask that PIs continue to adhere to the terms of their awards unless otherwise instructed by your funding agencies. We also ask that you be prudent and not attempt to spend funds early as a way to circumvent the federal reviews; this can put the university at significant risk. If your award falls under any of the EOs, RIPS leadership will be reaching out to discuss the current funding landscape.

We will continue to closely monitor the situation and are in the process of creating a webpage where we will provide future guidance and updates. As always, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Richard Mocarski
Vice President, Division of Research and Innovation Partnerships