New executive orders and other federal directives have been issued and may have an impact on the University of Nebraska. Some of these directives have already taken effect, and others will remain in flux for 60-90 days or longer as federal agencies look into their processes and make recommendations to the new administration on how to best fulfill each directive.
We are closely monitoring all federal actions that could affect the University of Nebraska. While the full scope of these orders and proposed legislative changes continues to unfold, we are carefully monitoring these issues and taking proactive steps to support our mission and our community.
We have received many questions from faculty wondering whether their federally funded research has been impacted by any of the directives thus far. If you have questions, please reach out to your program director or your campus’s office of sponsored programs. If you receive notice that your work is affected, please immediately contact your office of sponsored programs.
Information By Topic
On January 27, 2025, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued Memo M-25-13, which pauses specific federal financial assistance programs to align them with the new administration's priorities and recent executive orders. This memo has implications for research, grants, and other federally funded initiatives across the University of Nebraska System. Here’s what you need to know:
UPDATE (1/29/25): The Office of Management and Budget has rescinded M-25-13. Executive orders remain in effect, and federal agencies are continuing to review existing grants for compliance.
Key Points from the Memo:
- Exclusions: Programs providing direct benefits to individuals, such as Pell Grants and federal student loans, are not impacted.
- Temporary Pause: Federal agencies must pause obligations or disbursements related to open awards, funding announcements, and merit review panels.
- Reporting Deadline: Agencies are required to submit detailed analyses of affected programs to OMB by February 10, 2025.
University Action Plan:
Our administration is actively assessing the scope of this pause and its impact on our federally sponsored research, grants, and programs. Here’s how we are responding:
- Collaborating with Federal Agencies: We are in contact with key agencies to understand and navigate the requirements outlined in Memo M-25-13. As agencies release guidance, we will post them under “Resources” below.
- Monitoring Updates: A dedicated team is tracking developments and working to minimize disruptions to university activities.
- Resource Development: A centralized webpage will provide updates, FAQs, and guidance for students, faculty, and staff affected by these changes.
Additional Guidance for Students and Faculty:
- Research Projects: Researchers with current federal awards should reach out to their respective administrative units for specific advice and guidance.
- Pending Applications: Those with pending proposals under open Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) should expect delays.
- Student Aid: At this time, there is no impact on federal Pell Grants or direct student loans.
Resources:
On Friday, February 7, 2025, the Office of the Director of the National Institutes of Health announced it would impose a standard indirect cost rate of 15% on all NIH grants. Functionally, this caps grant-funded facilities and administrative (F&A) rates at 15% of the total of each award. According to the guidance, this 15% rate would replace any individually negotiated rates for an institution. The guidance states that this policy “shall be applied to all current grants for go forward expenses from February 10, 2025 forward as well as for all new grants issued.”
