2025 Federal Administration Executive Order Guidance

Updates related to federal orders and agency notifications

Please share any correspondence you receive from federal agencies or your institutional partners pertaining to your grants or subcontracts to this email: FederalFundingCommunications-group@uri.edu 
 

March 12, 2025
Message from Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, Director, U.S. National Science Foundation.
“…NSF staff continue to work around the clock, even under great stress and uncertainty, to do the hard work that is necessary. They do so because they understand that NSF’s mission is incredibly important to our economic and national security. However, it is equally important that everyone who plays a role in the research enterprise also does their part to communicate broadly the value and impact of America’s scientific enterprise and what it makes possible for individuals, communities, our states, and the nation.”

March 11, 2025
DOE Rescission of Notice
DOE believes that few, if any, funding agreements issued by the Office of Science are “equity-
related” under section 2(b)(i) of Executive Order 14151, 90 FR 8339, entitled Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Program and Preferencing,0F nonetheless, out of an abundance of caution it
is rescinding the following communication effective immediately: DEI, CBP/PIER Plans and
Justice40 related activities suspension letter dated, January 31, 2025.

March 10, 2025 
Special Notice to All Foreign Assistance Recipients
On March 10, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, in cases titled AIDS Vaccine Coalition v. U.S. Department of State and Global Health Council v. Trump, granted in part a preliminary injunction against the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the Office of Management and Budget…

February 28, 2025 
Message to Grant Recipients on Manual Review Process  
Effective immediately, FEMA and DHS are conducting additional reviews of allocations before releasing funds for all grants. These actions will ensure that funding is obligated and disbursed in line with the Secretary’s direction so that we can continue to support and prioritize communities and disaster survivors who rely on FEMA for assistance. Upon completion of reviews, approved funding will be processed through the respective grant systems.

February 19, 2025
Washington v. Trump – notice of court order – 2-19-25
A temporary restraining order has been entered in the case of Washington v. Trump.
This case challenges two sections in Executive Order (EO) 14,187, Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation (Jan. 28, 2025). Plaintiffs challenged Section 4, which directs the heads of departments and agencies “that provide[] research or educational grants to medical institutions” to, “consistent with applicable law and in coordination with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, immediately take appropriate steps to ensure that institutions receiving Federal research or education grants end the chemical and surgical mutilation of children.” EO 14,187 § 4. Plaintiffs also challenged Section 8, which instructs the Attorney General to “review Department of Justice enforcement of section 116 of title 18, United States Code, and prioritize enforcement of protections against female genital mutilation.”
In response to Plaintiffs’ motion, the Court has entered a temporary restraining order prohibiting certain actions by the Defendants in the case within the Plaintiff states of Washington, Oregon, and Minnesota, which is effective immediately. All Defendants—including their employees, contractors, and grantees—must immediately comply with the Court’s Order.

February 17, 2025
New FAQs answered from NSF 

 

February 10, 2025
NIH rate change blocked by federal judge
A Federal Judge issued a restraining order that placed a temporary pause nationwide on plans by the NIH to cap indirect cost rates.

February 10, 2025
Federal Court Filing regarding NIH Grants Policy Statement: Indirect Cost Rates
Twenty-two states file to block indirect cost rate cap. 

February 7, 2025
NSF Guidance Updated 
The National Science Foundation has posted updated guidance regarding activities mentioned in the rescinded Memorandum M-25-13, including diversity, equity, and inclusion. The NSF guidance states, “Consistent with the district court’s order, NSF awardees may continue activities consistent with the current terms and conditions of their NSF awards at this time.”

February 7, 2025
Supplemental Guidance to the 2024 NIH Grants Policy Statement: Indirect Cost Rates
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 institutions.

February 3, 2025
Executive Order Restraining Order
Here is a summary of the key terms:
1. Federal agencies cannot pause, freeze, impede, block, cancel, or terminate any awards or obligations on the basis of the OMB Memo, or on the basis of the President’s recently issued Executive Orders.
2. This prohibition applies to all awards or obligations—not just those involving the Plaintiff States in the above-referenced case—and also applies to future assistance (not just current or existing awards or obligations).
3. Agencies may exercise their own authority to pause awards or obligations, provided agencies do so purely based on their own discretion—not as a result of the OMB Memo or the President’s Executive Orders—and provided the pause complies with all notice and procedural requirements in the award, agreement, or other instrument relating to such a pause.
4. Out of an abundance of caution, all federal agencies (even those not named as defendants in the case) should comply with the above-referenced terms.

February 2, 2025 – Message to the NSF principal investigator community
Access to the Award Cash Management Service (ACM$) has been restored and the system is available to accept payment requests as of 12:00 PM ET on February 2, 2025. See the NIH FAQs  for more information.

January 29, 2025
On Wednesday, January 29, the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued Memorandum M-25-14 to rescind OMB Memorandum M-25-13, which had ordered a pause on all federal funding assistance including billions of dollars in grants and loans to colleges and universities. 

 

The URI Division of Research and Economic Development continues to monitor the 2025 presidential administration transition. Below are some helpful links and contact information.

COGR Updates:

Proposals

  • Submission: Proposal submissions will continue as long as federal agency systems remain operational.
  • Review Timelines: Expect potential delays in sponsor proposal reviews as federal agencies address pauses in federal assistance funding for certain areas.
  • At-Risk Accounts: Activation of not-fully executed (NFE) accounts for pending federal awards is not recommended.
  • Action Items:
  1. Reconfirm proposal deadlines to account for potential changes.
  2. Verify that funding announcements have not been revised or postponed. Sign up for agency or sponsor alerts when possible.

If you need assistance, please contact your Pre-Award College Contacts.

Awards

  • Terms and Conditions: Executed award terms remain enforceable while active, including invoicing and reimbursements.
  • Reporting Requirements: Updates may occur, requiring swift adaptation to avoid jeopardizing funding.
    If you need assistance, please contact your Post Award College Contacts.
  • Program Changes: In cases of program terminations or restructures, expect federal guidance on next steps, which OSP will promptly relay.
  • Research Compliance Updates: Anticipate updates to compliance requirements, possibly necessitating project-specific amendments. Swift compliance is critical to maintain funding.
    • Human Subject research Heather Paskalides, IRB/RCR Specialist, 401.874.4328,
    • Animal subject research, Gwen Currier, IACUC/IBC Specialist, 401.874.2526,
    • Conflict in Interest in Research and Responsible Conduct in Research Matters: Heather McClary, Director of Research Integrity, 401.874.4813 
    • Export Control Matters and Foreign Travel/Collaboration Considerations Contact Carol A. Connolly, Director of Research Security, 401.874.5467

Action Items:

  1. Review grant agreements to understand funding and reimbursement clauses.
  2. Monitor budget balances to avoid deficits while awaiting future funding obligations.
  3. Maintain communication with program officers for updates.
  4. Submit any overdue technical reports or deliverables promptly.
  5. Monitor agency announcements for funding or compliance updates.

Procurement Guidance

When conducting procurement for federally funded projects, consider the following:

  • Funding Confirmation: If federal funds have not been obligated, consider delaying or canceling procurement.
  • Agreement Terms: Review current agreements for cancellation clauses and payment milestones.
    For questions, contact your Post Award College Contacts.
  • Quotes: Obtain quotes with the country of origin and a validity period to ensure stable pricing.
  • Obligated Funds: Procure equipment or materials using currently available funds.
  • Policy Awareness: Verify funding availability and monitor policy changes impacting projects.