Updates from Sponsored Programs to BU’s research community.
Huron Update: December 2025
We wanted to share an update on our implementation of Huron Grants and Agreements, the new enterprise research administration system for the Office of Research. Where We Are The project is currently in the onboarding phase. The BU team includes 61 people from various parts of the University. Representatives from the schools are included to […]
Federal Research Policy Updates: Key Changes You Need to Know for NIH and NSF
Federal agencies have released several notices impacting research security and administrative requirements for proposals and awards. These updates align with the NSPM-33 directive and CHIPS Act to protect U.S. research and reduce administrative burden and strengthen compliance across federally funded research. Below is a summary of the latest notices from NIH and NSF. BU specific […]
Second Annual Certified Research Administrator (CRA) Study and Support Group
Back by popular demand, we are excited to announce the second annual Certified Research Administrator (CRA) Study and Support Group at Boston University! The 2025 inaugural cohort of this study group resulted in 11 new CRAs, almost doubling the total number of CRAs at Boston University! We would like to continue the success of this […]
Year End Planning and Holiday Deadlines 2025
In observance of Intersession break, the University will be closed starting at 5pm on Friday, December 19, 2025, re-opening 9am Monday, January 5, 2026. During this break, Sponsored Programs staff will not be available to approve or process any proposals or other sponsored research actions, including purchase requisitions and financial reports. Therefore, to help with […]
Change in Advance Account Policy and IPAR Form
Effective immediately, Sponsored Programs will be setting up advance accounts with $0 dollars and limited to 6 months. Expenses charged to advance accounts will reflect a negative balance in SAC until the agreement is received, and the award budget entered into the system. These changes are being implemented in response to shifts in the Federal […]
BU Information Security Update on Federal Research Requirements: Shared Computing Cluster now meets CMMC Level 1
Federal sponsors are increasingly requiring researchers to comply with stringent cybersecurity standards like the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publications 800-171 or 800-53. Additionally, the Department of Defense (DOD) now requires some research to comply with its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program. Boston University provides infrastructure to help meet some of […]
Closure of Mouse Assisted Reproductive Technologies (MART) Core
Due to availability of comparable commercial alternatives and low utilization, the Mouse Assisted Reproductive Technologies (MART) Core will be closing at the end of 2025 on December 19, prior to intersession. The Animal Science Center (ASC) will continue to assist in neonatal rederivations or caesarean rederivations, as needed, to meet health status requirements for our different […]
Department Administrator Forum: Advance Accounts
Hosted by Sponsored Programs. We invited all Boston University staff involved in Research Administration to join the Department Administrator (DA) Forum on November 13 from 10:30am – 12:00pm. This session provided a comprehensive overview of Advance Accounts and recent updates to BU Policy. This session offered an invaluable opportunity for professional development, collaboration, and direct access […]
How Might the Federal Government Shutdown Affect BU?
Student aid will continue and researchers should work on existing grants, but new awards might be delayed.
Government Shutdown – What to Know
TO: Principal Investigators, Deans, Associate Deans for Research, Center Directors, and Grant Administrators FROM: Diane Baldwin, Associate Vice President for Sponsored Programs DATE: Updated October 1, 2025 SUBJECT: Government Shutdown – What to Know The federal government officially shut down after midnight on September 30, 2025. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide […]