The Department of Contracts and Grants is pleased to announce the release of the Summer 2025 USC Guide to Sponsored Research. This guide remains your essential resource for sponsored projects and research compliance at USC. Principal Investigators and research administrators should review the updated guide to ensure alignment with the latest policies and best practices. […]
MicroLearning Monday – PI Eligibility at USC
Welcome back to MicroLearning Mondays, our biweekly series of bite-sized research administration trainings brought to you by the Department of Contracts and Grants. This week’s topic: Principal Investigator Eligibility: Guidelines for USC Researchers Why It Matters: Understanding who can serve as a Principal Investigator is essential for ensuring proposals meet both USC’s internal requirements and […]
Nationwide Temporary Restraining Order Halts DoD F&A Rate Cap
A federal court has issued a nationwide temporary restraining order in response to a lawsuit filed by the Association of American Universities (AAU), the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), the American Council on Education (ACE), and several affected institutions of higher education. The lawsuit challenges the Department of Defense’s (DoD) recently implemented policy […]
Department of Defense Issues 15% Indirect Cost Cap on Assistance Awards to Universities
On May 14, 2025, the Secretary of Defense announced the Department of Defense’s (DoD) intent to implement a 15% cap on indirect cost reimbursement rates for all new financial assistance awards to institutions of higher education. This policy was formally enacted on June 12, 2025, through the issuance of the attached memorandum. The following day, on […]
MicroLearning Monday – Requesting Approval to Conduct Restricted Research at USC
Welcome back to MicroLearning Mondays, our biweekly series of bite-sized research administration trainings brought to you by the Department of Contracts and Grants. This week’s topic: Requesting Approval to Conduct Restricted Research at USC Why It Matters: USC is committed to preserving academic freedom and the ability of researchers to pursue and publish their findings openly. […]
Compliance with the CHIPS and Science Act and Malign Foreign Talent Program Prohibitions
Announcement: The Department of Contracts and Grants (DCG) previously issued guidance regarding new federal requirements related to Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs (MFTRP) under the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. As a reminder, starting on June 7, 2025, in accordance with the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) Chapter II.D.1.e(ii), all PIs or co-PIs named […]