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 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
- Summary of Executive Orders via the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR)
- Pending Lawsuits Related to the Freeze on Payments for Grants & Contracts (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 4.7.25)
- 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)
NSF
- Updates on NSF Priorities (Updated 5.19.25)
- NSF Implementation of Recent Executive Orders (Updated 5.15.25)
- NSF Halts Grant Awards While Staff Do Second Review (Science 4.17.25)
Internal Memos
- NIH Automatic NCE Link Removed in eRA Commons (5.8.25)
- NIH Policy Update on Foreign Subawards (5.7.25)
- NSF F&A Update and Guidance (5.6.25)
- Enhancing Participant Privacy and Confidentiality (5.6.25)
- NIH Notice of Civil Rights Term and Condition of Award (5.2.25)
- 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 (1.15.25)
Frequently Asked Questions
Federal agencies are updating their terms and conditions to reference federal anti-discrimination law, prohibited boycotts, and other matters. 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)
- NIH 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 DOE, 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 DOE (1.20.25)
For information on Boston University policies related to recent federal actions, please visit our Federal Actions page.