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Federal Updates
Summary
The Vice Provost for Research and the Office of Sponsored Programs are tracking information regarding federal funding in light of recent executive orders to determine their impact on sponsored programs.
Full Description
William & Mary is closely monitoring and reviewing new executive actions following the recent change in federal administration, particularly those related to federally funded research. Please see below for information and updates
Please be mindful that federal guidelines will continue to evolve in the coming days. The situation is changing rapidly and we are monitoring the news, working with our colleagues at other Virginia institutions, and watching for guidance from funding agencies and university research associations (SURA, APLU, URA, COGR, NCURA, etc.) to ensure we are up-to-date on the latest information. We will continue to share new information with you as soon as it becomes available.
This is a challenging situation, made more difficult by uncertainty. We appreciate your patience as we assimilate updates and transmit guidance to the research community. In the meanwhile,
- Please continue to conduct your research and to charge expenses to your projects according to sponsor-approved budgets.
- Continue to submit your grant proposals as planned, by their posted due dates -- while paying close attention to possible changes in submission due dates and in requirements in new funding announcements.
If you are contacted directly by a federal agency, prime entity or sub-awardee about a federally funded grant or contract, please share that information with your Sponsored Programs (OSP) Administrator as soon as possible.
If you have questions about a particular award or funding opportunity, please reach out the OSP Administrator assigned to your department/unit for assistance.
- updated February 14, 2025
Information and Updates:
Internal Messages to W&M Research Community
2/13/2025 - to Faculty, Staff & Students from Provost Agouris & VP Ambler
Subject: Higher education policy landscape Dear faculty, staff, and students, Members of the William & Mary community have asked for our guidance regarding changing policies in Washington that have the potential to impact higher education and William & Mary specifically. Today, we write to share our approach to this shifting landscape. We have gathered several different topics below, together with updates and reminders of useful resources. This community is justly proud of our values-based approach to teaching, learning, and research – anchored in longstanding commitments to belonging, curiosity, excellence, flourishing, integrity, respect, and service. At times of uncertainty, we remind ourselves how durable these values are. The idea of “belonging” (“who comes here belongs here”) has been integral to our campus culture for three-quarters of a century, dating back to William & Mary’s 1949 Student Handbook. Thank you for continuing to send your questions our way so we can provide the guidance and resources you seek. Sincerely, Peggy Agouris Ginger Ambler Updates on higher education policy changes Executive orders from Washington that may impact higher education have proliferated this past month, with confusing stays and reversals. As they are announced, university leadership works closely with relevant departments to evaluate any potential impact to W&M. Our priority is to provide timely and accurate information. To do so, we draw on a strong Government Relations team and effective partnerships with the other state institutions in Virginia. At present, it is still too early to assess accurately the impact on William & Mary and VIMS. We will continue to update the campus through the spring as warranted.
Public safety resources Here are additional resources following the recent campus message from Chief Butler. The William & Mary Police Department (WMPD) is a fully accredited police department in the state of Virginia. Officers provide professional safety services on campus including an active police patrol, all day every day. If you encounter anyone on campus you’re concerned about, contact WMPD at 757-221-4596. They will respond immediately. In the most urgent situations, use 911.
Resources for students and employees National and global events impact members of our community differently, often in challenging ways. Please draw on the W&M resources available to support you, including:
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2/11/2025 - to W&M Research PI's from OSP - UPDATE regarding NIH IDC cap
Re: 2/7/2025 - Supplemental Guidance to the 2024 NIH Grants Policy Statement: Indirect Cost Rates -- limiting IDC recovery to 15%UPDATE: A temporary restraining order has been filed in the case filed by AAMC, AAU, APLU, et. al. in Massachusetts that restrains NIH from implementing the IDC cap nationwide. AAMCOrd021025 | DocumentCloud |
2/11/2025 - to W&M Research PI's from OSP regarding NIH IDC cap
Re: 2/7/2025 - Supplemental Guidance to the 2024 NIH Grants Policy Statement: Indirect Cost Rates -- limiting IDC recovery to 15%
Dear Faculty, Friday, the NIH released supplemental guidance to the NIH Grants Policy Statement imposing a standard facilities & administrative (F&A) costs (also known as indirect costs) rate of 15% for all NIH grantee institutions. This 15% rate would replace individually negotiated rates for an institution and apply to both existing grants and future grants starting February 10, 2025. This is very concerning news. OSP is monitoring the situation and will keep you updated on further developments. We are aware that the AAU, APLU, AAMC and COGR are responding to this action. The new NIH guidance has been challenged by twenty-two states, AAU, APLU and others in federal court in Massachusetts. A temporary restraining order has been granted, but at the time of this writing relief is limited to plaintiff states. While we seek clarity about next steps, you should continue to do your research regardless of funding source (unless you are in receipt of a stop order) and notify OSP immediately if you receive direct communication from a federal sponsor regarding implementation of recent Executive Orders or capping of IDC. More Information about indirect cost recoveries can be found on our website. OSP has created a webpage with information and resources regarding the 2025 federal executive transition and its impact on sponsored programs. Please contact us if you have questions. (Researchers on the VIMS campus should work with the VIMS Office of Sponsored Programs) Sincerely, Katherine Davis Small
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1/28/2025 - to Faculty & Staff from Provost Agouris & VP Todd
Dear colleagues, William & Mary is closely monitoring and reviewing new executive actions and memoranda following the recent change in federal administration, particularly those related to federally funded research. University leadership is working with the Office of Government and External Affairs and the Office of Sponsored Programs to evaluate these new actions and their potential impact on the university. We know many of you are currently involved in grant-dependent projects and are seeking guidance on the best path forward. We will be working with you and your departments to determine the potential impact, being mindful that federal guidelines will continue to evolve in the coming weeks. For questions about engaging with federal, state, and local officials, please refer to this published guidance. We recognize how challenging the current uncertainty is, and we thank you for your patience and ongoing commitment to your students, your colleagues, and your work. Please be assured that William & Mary remains steadfast in our mission of teaching, learning, and research. We are actively collaborating with peer institutions across Virginia and the nation to identify next steps in this evolving situation. Sincerely, Peggy Agouris Mike Todd |
1/28/2025 - to federally funded researchers from VPR & OSP
To: Principal Investigators of federally funded awards From: William & Mary Vice Provost for Research, and Re: Temporary Pause of Federal Agency Grant, Loan, and Other Financial Assistance As you may have heard, a recent Executive Order has paused Federal awards. We are awaiting guidance from our federal sponsors on the implications of the order and assure you that we will update you as soon as we know more. We are closely monitoring the situation, consulting with our colleagues at other Virginia institutions, and watching for guidance from university research associations (SURA, APLU, URA, COGR, NCURA, etc.) Thank you for your patience and best regards, Dennis Manos, VPR, and with attachments: OMB Memo 25-13, and FAQs OMB |
1/28/2025 - to subawardees on federally funded awards from VPR & OSP
January 28, 2025 To: Recipients of federally funded subawards from prime recipient William & Mary From: William & Mary Vice Provost for Research, and As you may have heard, a recent Executive Order has paused Federal grants. We are awaiting guidance from our federal sponsors on the implications of the order and assure you that we will update you as soon as we know more. We are closely monitoring the situation, consulting with our colleagues at other Virginia institutions, and watching for guidance from university research associations (SURA, APLU, URA, COGR, NCURA, etc.) Thank you for your patience and best regards, Dennis Manos, VPR, and with attachments: OMB Memo 25-13, and FAQs OMB |
1/28/2025 - to VIMS Researchers from Dean Aday and CFO Rudy All, As you are likely aware, late last night the White House released a memo temporarily pausing, effective at 5pm today, all federal grants, loans, and other financial assistance programs with exceptions for Social Security, Medicare, and some that provide direct aid to individuals. We write to let you know that we are closely tracking this developing situation and are working with central administration and our government relations partners to navigate these unprecedented circumstances. Our finance office and OSP have already taken action to do what they can to secure funds we have been awarded. Information on the freeze is limited right now, but we will continue to respond thoughtfully and strategically as circumstances change. The contingency planning that we’ve done over the last couple of years will be helpful as we work through this. We understand that this announcement and the uncertainty around it will cause concern for folks across our community. We are working around the clock to track the situation and mitigate its impact on our school and institute. We will keep you posted as circumstances change. Sincerely, Derek Aday & Linda Rudy |
Resources & Information
Federal Agency Resources
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Other Resources |
Federal Agency Communications with W&M
The following agencies have issued stop-work orders or other communications received directly by W&M:
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Select Court Orders/Cases
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Select OMB Memoranda |
Select Executive OrdersThe following are some recent executive orders that may have implications for sponsored research activity. We are reviewing the executive orders to understand their potential implementation and impact.
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