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
- Early Grant Termination Guidelines (Updated 3.27.25; Kerberos log-in required)
Changes to F&A Rates
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.
Department of Energy (DOE)
On Friday, April 11, DOE announced a new a policy setting a flat 15 percent F&A rate for all existing and new awards at all institutions of higher education, effective immediately. This new rate would replace previously negotiated institutional rates, which for BU was its negotiated rate with HHS.
On Monday, April 14th the Association of American Universities (AAU), American Council on Education, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, 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 Wednesday, April 16th the MA District Court issued a temporary restraining order preventing the DOE from unilaterally implementing the F&A rate cuts.
During this time, please continue work as normal. Find additional guidance for faculty and staff here.
Information & Resources
- Summary of Executive Orders via the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR)
- Pending Lawsuits Related to the Freeze on Payments for Grants & Contracts via COGR
- Agency Responses to Recent Executive Orders (Lewis-Burke Associates; Kerberos log-in required)
- National Institutes of Health Implementation of New Initiatives and Policies (Updated 3.25.25)
- National Endowment for the Humanities (Updated 3.20.25)
- Notice of Temporary Restraining Order (2.3.25)
- Notice of Enforcement of Temporary Restraining Order (2.10.25)
- Federal Outlook Webinar (2.12.25; Kerberos log-in required)
- Memorandum and Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction (03.05.25)
National Science Foundation (NSF)
- NSF Halts Grant Awards While Staff Do Second Review (Science 4.17.25)
- NSF Implementation of Recent Executive Orders (Updated 4.18.25)
- Updates on NSF Priorities (Updated 4.18.25)
Internal Memos
- In Support of Research (2.11.25)
- Effects of Federal Budget Directives on University Funding (1.28.25)
- Federal Agencies’ Temporary Pause: Monitoring Changes for BU Research (1.24.25)
- University Resources to Navigate the Federal Research Funding Landscape (1.15.24)
Frequently Asked Questions
NIH sent a Notice of Civil Rights Term and Condition of Award. Is there any action required on my end?
What does the announced NIH F&A rate change mean for research?
Things are happening quickly. What do I need to know now as a researcher?
How will I know if my grant is affected?
What should I do if my award is terminated by a federal sponsor, my federal subaward is terminated by the prime sponsor, or a stop-work order is issued?
Can the federal government terminate my grant after it has been awarded?
What can the University do if an agency attempts to rescind an award?
Should I continue responding to grant solicitations? What if the solicitation appears to be in conflict with an executive order?
Should I stop traveling or buying equipment with grant funds?
I’ve heard NIH has to give 30 days notice before terminating a grant. Is this true?
I have a specific question about my grant or program. Where do I go for information?
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.
- NSF Message on Preliminary Injunction Order – Washington v. Trump (3.06.25)
- NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Research Programs Update (3.5.25)
- National Institutes of Health Supplemental Guidance on Indirect Cost Rates (2.7.25)
- NASA Global Contractor and Grantee Community Memorandum on Gender Ideology (2.6.25)
- Notice to Cease “Gender Ideology” Activities on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Awards (1.31.25)
- Memorandum from the Office of Management and Budget, rescinding funding freeze (1.29.25)
- Q&A from the Office of Management and Budget, on paused grants (1.28.25)
- Memorandum from the Office of Management and Budget, on paused grants (1.27.25)
- Memorandum from the Department of Energy, on DEI and CBP activities (1.27.25)
- Cancellation of Funding Notices at National Institute of Justice (1.27.25)
- Notice from Department of Energy on PIER plan requirement (1.27.25)
- Press Release from Department of Education, on DEI initiatives (1.23.25)
- Memorandum for NASA Contractor and Grantee Community (1.23.25)
- Memorandum from Department of Health & Human Services (1.21.25)
- Memorandum from Department of Energy (1.20.25)
For information on Boston University policies related to recent federal actions, please visit our Federal Actions page.