[Microplantpath_faculty] Fwd: Research Digest, Vol 133, Issue 2

Tue Jun 9 09:15:46 PDT 2026

FYI, sharing the USDA hearing update

Dominica
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Cynthia J. Johnson" <cynthia.johnson at ucr.edu>
To: research at lists.ucr.edu
Cc:
Bcc:
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 2026 17:18:04 -0700
Subject: [Research] Important Agency News

*~~ Please disseminate this information with those **r**esearchers and
research administrators **in your department who may find it noteworthy ~~*

*Important USDA Update*

*Background*

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued the following USDA Terms and
Conditions
<https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-general-terms-conditions-2025.pdf>
(effective
12/31/2025) which are being incorporated into new awards and via certain
amendments to existing awards.  As previously mentioned in the Research
list-serv newsletter dated 4/10/2026, those new USDA terms are problematic,
resulting in twenty-one states joining together to file a Motion for a
Preliminary Injunction.

*Update*

Good news!  The court granted the Motion for a Preliminary Injunction
thereby enjoining the USDA from applying and enforcing the challenged
conditions to Plaintiff states (including California). *UCR may now proceed
with the acceptance and processing of USDA awards and making drawdowns* *(with
the inclusion of Reservations of Rights language provided this afternoon to
RED and EMF by the CA AG)*.

 Please direct further questions in writing to REDalert at ucr.edu.

*NASA Grant Information Circular 26-02*

In accordance with Grant Information Circular 26‑02
<https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/gic-26-02-research-security-training-requirements.pdf?emrc=b6b363>,
Research Security Training Requirements, all covered individuals named on
NASA grant and cooperative agreement proposals will be required to attest
that they have completed research security training *prior to proposal
submission* beginning August 5, 2026. This attestation will be made by
signing a certification included in the NASA biographical sketch and
current and pending (other) support forms. To support your preparation,
NASA is providing advance copies of the updated forms that will be required
starting August 5, 2026 (see attached). The new attestation related to
research security training is highlighted within these documents.

*Please note:* *Do not use these updated forms before August 5, 2026.*
Until that date, continue to use the current biographical sketch and
current and pending support forms available on the NASA Grant Operations
Management website
<https://www.nasa.gov/grants-operations-management/#Regulations>under
“Grant Forms.”

Thank you,
Grants Policy and Compliance

*NIH Notice (NOT-OD-26-086) - Request for Information:*

*Proposal to Cap the Number of Simultaneous Research Project Grants per
Principal Investigator *

*to Support More Researchers and Maximize Scientific Productivity and
Innovation*

NIH released Notice NOT-OD-26-086
<https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-26-086.html> for
the purpose of soliciting public input on the outline for a proposed policy
that would cap the number of Research Project Grants (RPGs)
<https://report.nih.gov/nihdatabook/report/24> an individual can
simultaneously serve on as Principal Investigator (PI) or Multi-Principal
Investigator (MPI).

NIH has not yet made any final decisions regarding implementation of such a
policy. Broad community input will help NIH better understand the potential
benefits and drawbacks of the proposed policy. For instance:

   - Pros and/or cons of the policy
   - The optimal number of RPGs for the cap (2, 3 or 4)
   - Strengths and weaknesses of the proposed implementation strategies
   - Possible unintended consequences or policy loopholes

Researchers are encouraged to read the Notice and submit comments
electronically to this webpage
<https://rfi.grants.nih.gov/?s=6a1f200c6e0a7544e30b3f12> no later than *August
3, 2026*.

*Research Administrators*

*I*nformative *N*oontime *C*ollaboration

[image: A blue arrows pointing to different directions AI-generated content
may be incorrect.]

*Collaborate ~ Communicate ~ Connect*

Please join *Research Administrators INC* to view the National Council of
University Research Administrator’s 90-minute pre-recorded presentation
entitled, "*Budgeting for Compliance: Designing Budgets That Survive
Post-Award Scrutiny*."

Budget development during the proposal phase plays a critical role in
shaping financial health and compliance of an award throughout its
lifecycle. This session offers Pre-Award professionals a Post-Award lens on
budgeting, highlighting how early decisions can either support or hinder
long-term financial integrity. Through real-world examples and practical
strategies, we'll explore common pitfalls such as unallowable costs, effort
commitments, and cost-sharing challenges, and how to proactively address
them during proposal preparation. Attendees will leave with actionable
insights to design budgets that meet sponsor expectations, align with
institutional policies, and withstand Post-Award scrutiny.

*When*:

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Noon – 1:45 pm

*Where*:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://ucr.zoom.us/j/92559324407?pwd=NOQeAWnSkfGxlWX0ShKk5DEC9FJUFm.1&jst=2
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ucr.zoom.us/j/92559324407?pwd%3DNOQeAWnSkfGxlWX0ShKk5DEC9FJUFm.1%26jst%3D2&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1780329867418974&usg=AOvVaw1WkKuJt7pdh7CrnPtVdceS>

*Learning Objectives*:

·        Identify budget elements that commonly lead to Post-Award
compliance issues.

·        Apply strategies to design proposal budgets that align with
sponsor and institutional requirements.

·        Collaborate more effectively with Post-Award teams to ensure
financial readiness and reduce audit risk.

·        Evaluate the Impact of Budget Design on Award Monitoring and
Reporting.

·        Incorporate Audit-Resistant Practices into Budget Development.

·        Navigate Cost-Sharing Commitments with Greater Confidence.

·        Apply Real-World Case Studies to Strengthen Budgeting Practices.

*Presenters*:

*Leah Acajabon, **Sr. Consultant*

*Attain Partners*

*Miranda Burnisky, **Grants Management Supervisor*

*Penn State University*

*Danforth Nicholas, **Director, Research Development & Administration,
Research Administration Manager*

*Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute*

*Materials*:* Presentation slides are attached.*

*IMPACT23 – Office Hours: Kuali Sponsored Programs*

Please join us for the Kuali Sponsored Programs Office Hours which meets on
the *first and third Thursday* of each month from 9 – 9:30 a.m. via the
following *new ZOOM link*:
https://ucr.zoom.us/j/91549349837?pwd=7acOMgGLk5bLVMXyHSPMSkHPTo0bhA.1&jst=2
.

*We hope to see you there!*

*Research List-Serv*

Do you know of someone in your department who is not currently registered
to receive newsletters (such as this one) from the Research listserv, but
would like to?  If so, please forward their name and email address to
Cynthia Johnson at cwells at ucr.edu.

*Calendar*

*Friday, June 19* <https://events.ucr.edu/calendar/day/2026/3/27>th -
Campus closed for Juneteenth.

_______________________________________________
Research mailing list
Research at lists.ucr.edu
https://lists.ucr.edu/mailman/listinfo/research
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