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 Friday, May 2, the NSF announced a 15% F&A cap on new awards to institutions of higher education after Monday, May 5.

• NSF funding opportunities issued after May 5, 2025, will include notice of this indirect cost rate policy to ensure public awareness.
• The 15% rate maximum applies only to new awards made to IHEs on or after May 5, 2025.
• Recipients must use a rate no greater than 15% of modified total direct costs (MTDC), as defined in 2 CFR 200.1.
• This policy does not apply retroactively to existing awards.
• Institutions are not required to amend budgets for awards issued before this effective date, nor will they be required to return previously reimbursed indirect costs.
• Award supplements that are effectuated via amendments to awards in existence prior to May 5, 2025, are not subject to this policy.
• Continuing grant increments are awarded under the original award terms and conditions; continuing grant awards in existence prior to May 5, 2025, are not subject to this policy.

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.

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 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

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.