Several recent Executive Orders may indicate shifts in federal priorities, potentially affecting both awarded projects and those awaiting funding from federal agencies or sponsors.
As agencies and sponsors adjust to these changes, USC’s Office of Research and Innovation remains committed to providing guidance, updates, and access to relevant resources to help you navigate this evolving landscape.
Campus Communications
University Guidance
As federal agencies and sponsors respond to recent Executive Orders, USC’s Office of Research and Innovation (OORI) remains dedicated to providing timely guidance, updates, and resources to support you through these changes.
The following guidance outlines key actions and recommendations to help you effectively manage proposals and awards during this period of transition.
- Proposals will continue to follow USC’s current processes and procedures. The grants.gov submission system is currently operational. You may continue to use Cayuse S2S to prepare and submit applications for any posted opportunities.
- Sponsor proposal review timelines may be extended as federal agencies adjust funding priorities in certain areas.
- For NIH proposals, while we await more guidance on NIH’s proposed revisions to F&A rate, please continue to use the University’s negotiated indirect cost rate consistent with previous practice.
What You Should Do:
- Confirm Deadlines: Proposal deadlines and program dates may change. Reconfirm these details regularly.
- Check Announcements: Ensure the funding announcement hasn’t been revised or postponed. Consider signing up for alerts from the relevant federal agency or sponsor.
- Existing award terms and conditions remain as long as the award is active. Any changes to your award will be communicated through an amendment from the sponsor for USC’s review and execution.
- There may be updates to research compliance and reporting requirements, which could be implemented by federal agencies or require project-specific amendments. Any new information will be shared with you, but your Program Officer may also provide direct updates.
- Programs that are reduced, defunded, or terminated could experience delays in payments or require recipients to meet new criteria to access funds. Federal agencies will typically issue guidance in these cases, which USC will share promptly.
What You Should Do:
- Review Award Terms: Familiarize yourself with the terms of your award, especially clauses related to funding availability and reimbursement.
- Monitor Project Spending: Keep track of obligated budgets to avoid deficits while awaiting future obligations. Anticipated funding is subject to availability and should not be assumed as guaranteed.
- Stay in Touch with Program Officers: Communicate regularly with your Program Officer to confirm whether changes impact your award. Share any updates with Katie Rountree, Executive Director, Department of Contracts and Grants (DCG).
- Meet Reporting Deadlines: Ensure timely submission of reports and deliverables, prioritizing any that are overdue.
- Stay Informed on Policies: Watch for updates from federal agencies overseeing your award regarding funding or compliance requirements.
- Follow DCG Communications: Monitor NewsFlashes from DCG and check the dedicated page for federal updates.
Executive Actions and Federal Agency Guidance
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Department of Health and Human Services
DCG NewsFlash
- Court Issues Preliminary Injunction Against OMB Funding Freeze
- OMB Rescinds Pause on Federal Grants, Loans, and other Financial Assistance
- Pause on Financial Assistance Programs Blocked by Federal Judge
- OMB Clarification Regarding Federal Funding Pause
- Summary of OMB Memo M-25-13: Temporary Pause on Financial Assistance Programs
Memorandum
DCG NewsFlash
Memorandums
DCG NewsFlash
- NIH Implements New Policy on Foreign Subawards
- Judge Issues Nationwide Preliminary Injunction Blocking NIH Guidance Imposing 15% Cap on F&A Costs
- Update - Lawsuit Against NIH F&A Cap
- Important Update on National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Funding
- Temporary Restraining Order Issued Blocking NIH 15% Cap on Indirect Costs
- Communication from the Acting Director to NIH Staff
Documents
- NIH F&A Cap Restraining Order & Court Filing
DCG NewsFlash
- Temporary Interruptions to NSF Research Infrastructure Outreach Website and COI Portal
- New NSF Indirect Cost Rate Policy for Institutions of Higher Education
- NSF Releases Updated Guidance on Funding Priorities
- NSF’s Implementation of Executive Orders
- New NSF Webpage Regarding Recent Executive Orders
- NSF Implementation of Recent Executive Orders
Links
DCG NewsFlash
- NASA Issues Directive on Executive Order Compliance
- Immediate Impact of New Executive Order on NASA Research Agreements
Memorandums
DCG NewsFlash
- DOE Caps Indirect Costs for State and Local Governments, For-Profit and Non-Profit Org
- New DOE/NNSA Research Security Training Requirement – Effective May 1, 2025
- Temporary Restraining Order Halts Department of Energy’s 15% F&A Cap on Higher Education Grants
- DOE Releases Supplemental Policy Flash on Indirect Cost Rates
- Recent Federal Directives Impacting DHHS and DOE
Memorandums
DCG NewsFlash
Resources
- Executive Order – Implementing the President’s Department of Government Efficiency Cost Efficiency Initiative and Executive Order
- Important Legal Update on Recent Executive Orders and Preliminary Injunction Order
- F&A Costs of Research One Page
- Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions (White House)
- Presidential Actions (White House)
- Akin Group Executive Overview & Tracker
- DCG NewsFlash: 2025 Administration Transition Updates & COGR Resources
- COGR: 2025 Administration Transition Information and Resources
- COGR: Summary of Executive Orders