Several Executive Orders issued recently indicate shifts in federal research priorities, potentially affecting both active projects and pending funding applications with federal agencies or sponsors. The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) is actively monitoring this evolving situation and will continue to provide updates, guidance, and resources as federal agencies adapt to these developments.

At this time, we do not recommend halting or altering any ongoing research activities without first consulting OVPR. 

To inform OVPR of any communications or guidance you receive, please use the OVPR Federal Communications Portal.

The Latest Updates from OVPR section on this page will be updated as new information becomes available.

Latest Updates from OVPR

The latest updates are linked below in reverse chronological order.

• Memo: Recent Announcement Capping Facilities and Administrative Cost Recovery from NIH - February 9, 2025
• Webinar Recording: OVPR Town Hall on 2025 Federal Funding Guidance - January 31, 2025
• Announcement: OVPR Town Hall (1/31) on 2025 Federal Funding Guidance - January 30, 2025
• Memo: OMB Memo of January 27, 2025 – January 28, 2025
• Memo: Recent HHS and NIH Directives – January 24, 2025

Note that you will be required to log in to your Temple account to access these resources.

For TUHS/FCCC Partners

Join our Research News & Announcements Team for access to the above resources. You may only join the Team with a temple.edu, tuhs.temple.edu, or fccc.edu email address. If you need help joining the Team, please submit this form.

Proposals

OVPR will continue to submit proposals as long as federal submission systems remain operational. However, sponsors may experience delays in proposal review timelines as federal agencies navigate pauses in funding for certain areas. 

 What to do:

When preparing your proposals, we recommend: 

•  Double-checking deadlines to confirm they have not been updated. 
• Verifying that funding announcements remain unchanged and have not been revised or postponed. 
• Signing up for alerts from federal agencies or sponsors to stay informed about any modifications. 

Awards 

The terms of your executed awards remain valid as long as the awards are active. You may continue to invoice and receive reimbursements, unless notified otherwise. Any amendments to your award terms will be reviewed and executed by OVPR as necessary. 

For stop-work orders, see the Stop-Work Orders, Terminations, and Suspensions section below.

Compliance Updates 

Compliance requirements may evolve, either directly through federal agencies or via amendments on a project-specific basis. OVPR will keep you informed, but you may also receive instructions directly from your Program Officer.

What to do:

• It is critical to respond promptly to ensure compliance with new terms, as noncompliance could jeopardize funding.
• Please also share these updates with us through the OVPR Federal Communications Portal.
•  For compliance-related assistance, contact: 
  • Research Security/Export Control: [click-for-email]
  • IRB: [click-for-email]
  • IACUC: [click-for-email]
  • COI: coitemple@temple.edu 

Reporting Requirements 

Reporting requirements may also change. These changes could either be implemented directly by a federal agency or sponsor or may require an amendment on a project-by-project basis.

What to do:

If you receive new instructions, act swiftly to ensure compliance. Contact your OVPR Grants Administrator if you require assistance.  

Additional Considerations 

To ensure your research projects remain on track, it is important to stay proactive during this period of uncertainty.

What to do: 

• Review the terms of your Notice of Award/Award Agreement, particularly clauses related to funding availability and reimbursement. Contact your OVPR Grants Administrator if you need help locating your agreement. 
• Monitor your obligated budget balances closely to avoid deficits while awaiting future obligations, as funding is not guaranteed until confirmed.
• Communicate with your Program Officer to confirm there are no changes to your award’s terms or conditions. Remember to file and save all relevant communications regarding each award.
• Submit any overdue technical reports or deliverables as a priority.
• Watch for policy updates from the federal agency overseeing your grant for any changes to funding or compliance requirements.

Potential Funding Impacts

In rare cases, if a program is terminated, restructured, or defunded, there may be delays or pauses in payments for existing grants under those programs. Federal agencies typically issue guidance in these situations, and OVPR will share updates promptly as they become available.

What to do:

Keep detailed documentation of all communications with sponsors and agencies to ensure transparency and compliance.

Stop-Work Orders, Terminations, and Suspensions

If you receive a stop-work order, immediately halt all project activities as specified in the notice. Only costs incurred up to the date of the stop-work order are typically reimbursable. Project costs and salaries may be mapped to non-sponsored accounts at the unit’s discretion.

What to do:

• Immediately halt all project activities as specified in the notice.
• Notify your assigned Pre Award staff, who will then work with Post Award to ensure compliance and proper documentation.
• Review the terms of the stop-work order or termination notice carefully.
• Submit any required final reports or deliverables promptly.
• Avoid incurring any additional expenses unless explicitly authorized.
• Closely monitor obligated budget balances to avoid deficits while awaiting future obligations. Anticipated future funding remains subject to availability of funds and should not be considered guaranteed.
  • When an award is signed, the federal agency allocates a portion of the total approved budget as obligated funds. Temple as the recipient can incur expenses up to the obligated amount and these expenses will be reimbursed.* Any expenses incurred within the scope of the award and covered by obligated funds will be reimbursed. Future expenses beyond the current obligation will not be reimbursed.
  • The same principles apply to subawards. When an award is signed, the federal agency allocates a portion of the total approved budget as obligated funds. Temple, as the recipient, can authorize subawardees to incur expenses up to the obligated amount, and these expenses will be reimbursed*. Any expenses incurred by subawardees within the scope of the subaward and covered by obligated funds will be reimbursed.* However, future expenses beyond the current obligation will not be reimbursed unless additional funds are formally obligated.
    * Note for stop-work orders: Only costs through the date of receipt of the notice are typically reimbursable.

Material Transfers with NIH

New and pending material transfer agreements with the NIH are paused until February 1, 2025. 

What to do:

Please reach out to Theodore McIntosh ([click-for-email]) if you have a material transfer agreement that may be impacted by this pause.

OVPR Federal Communications Portal

You may receive communications or directives from your Program Officers regarding policy or programmatic changes related to your funded program or other specific impact on your engagement with federal agencies.

What to do:

Please share this information with us in the OVPR Federal Communications Portal.

You must be logged in to your Temple account to access this portal.