2025 Administration Transition Information & Resources

As of now, the vast majority of research should continue as planned.

The University will continue to monitor the latest development and share information relevant to researchers below. Sponsored Programs (ospera@bu.edu) remains the best point of contact for award-specific questions.


New Resource

Changes to F&A Rates

National Science Foundation (NSF)

On May 5, the American Association of Universities (AAU), along with the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU), the American Council on Education (ACE), and 13 AAU members filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts to challenge the NSF’s new 15% F&A policy. The University has submitted a legal declaration in support of the lawsuit. NSF has entered into a consent agreement with the court to pause the implementation of the 15% F&A policy pending resolution after a June 13 hearing. Effective May 19, NSF will revert to issuing awards according to the institution’s negotiated rates while implementation is on hold. More details on this policy change and guidance from Sponsored Programs can be found here.

    Department of Energy (DOE)  

    On April 14, the AAU, ACE, APLU, and nine universities filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts seeking to block the DOE rate cut. The University submitted a strongly worded written statement in federal court supporting the lawsuit. On May 15, the MA District Court issued a nationwide preliminary injunction preventing the DOE from unilaterally implementing the F&A rate cuts. The injunction will remain in place until a final decision is issued in the case, or until a higher court overturns the preliminary injunction on an appeal by the government. Find additional guidance for faculty and staff here.

    National Institutes of Health (NIH)

    On Monday, February 10, three separate lawsuits were filed in the US District Court in Boston challenging the NIH’s February 7 notice. On April 4, the court granted a nationwide permanent injunction preventing NIH’s implementation of the 15 percent F&A cost rate across the United States, and shortly thereafter, the Trump Administration filed an appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. As a result, the rate cut is currently on hold.

      Information & Resources

      NSF

      Internal Memos


      Frequently Asked Questions


        Notices from Federal Agencies

        If you have questions about how these apply to your specific award, reach out to Sponsored Programs at ospera@bu.edu.

         

        For information on Boston University policies related to recent federal actions, please visit our Federal Actions page.

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