Impact of Federal Executive Orders and Directives on Federal Grants and Contracts
Under the direction of the new administration, Federal agencies are making plans and taking actions to implement the new EOs. This is a fluid situation with updates being issued frequently. We understand that many UCI researchers have questions.
What UC/UCI is Doing
We are monitoring Federal communications as well as information from other sources. The UC Office of the President (UCOP) issued a message from President Drake and a memo for researchers on January 28, 2025, that we encourage you to read. Vice Chancellor Khargonekar sent a message to the UCI research community about the changes at various Federal research agencies as the result of the Presidential Actions and Executive Orders (EOs), and a notification about the implementation of the EOs at the National Science Foundation (NSF). More recently, UCOP has also established a new online Federal Updates resource that shares information on topics including research.
Additionally, the latest information is being tracked and summarized by several university associations. The Council on Government Relations (COGR) has developed a resource page that compiles recent EOs, agency directives, and other information relevant to upcoming and existing federal contracts and grants. We are also monitoring information provided by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.
Keeping Our Campus Informed
In addition to continually updating this resource page, the UCI Office of Research will use the CG-News listserv to share information as it becomes available. You are invited to join this listserv. To join, please send a blank email to: cg-news+subscribe@uci.edu.
Recommendations for UCI Researchers
The following recommendations are based on the latest information available to us. We will update these recommendations as more information becomes available.
Federal Grant and Contract Proposals
- Proposals may be submitted to available federal funding opportunities as long as federal submission systems remain operational.
- Federal agency proposal review timelines may be delayed due to agency-specific implementation plans and funding guidelines.
- Check program websites and funding opportunities regularly for changes in deadline dates.
- Review new versions of funding opportunities carefully to ensure that your proposal is compliant. While funding opportunities often make explicit the changes that occur with reissue, not all changes in the wording may be highlighted.
- Sign up for federal agency alerts, if available, especially for the agencies to which you apply.
- Monitor program websites and FAQs for any news about grant reviews and award decisions.
Active Grant and Contract Awards
- Performance on active awards can continue if obligated funds are available AND a stop-work or termination order has not been issued by the agency.
- Monitor fund balances to avoid deficits while waiting for continuation funding. Anticipated future funding is always subject to the availability of funds and should not be considered guaranteed.
- Notices of new, continuing, or supplemental funding may be delayed.
- Awards currently under negotiation may be placed on hold until further notice by the funding agency.
- Stay in contact with your program officers, if possible. However, note that some agencies have put a temporary hold on communications as EO implementation plans are established.
- Monitor updates from federal agencies, the Office of Research, and Sponsored Projects for updates on funding or compliance requirements.
- If Principal Investigators (PIs) or department administrators receive any award notifications or other agency communications, including "Stop-Work" or "Termination" Orders, please forward them to Sponsored Projects at awards@research.uci.edu so that Sponsored Projects can be alerted promptly and inform you of any required procedures.
In the News
Additional Resources
UC Federal Policy Updates
On this website: UCOP provides updates on evolving federal policies and issues affecting the UC system.
Understanding Facilities & Administrative (F&A) Costs at UCI
On this webpage we explain the the importance of indirect costs in maintaining strong university research programs.
Contact Information
Please contact Nancy Lewis, Associate Vice Chancellor, Research Administration at nrlewis@uci.edu and Jeff Warner, Senior Director, Sponsored Projects at warnerj@uci.edu for assistance as needed.