[Research] Agency News

Fri Apr 18 09:29:59 PDT 2025

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

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Department of Energy (DOE): 15% Indirect Cost Rate Cap and Conditional Termination of Existing Awards

Chronology of Events:

On Friday, April 11, 2025, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued a new policy entitled, Adjusting Department of Energy Grant Policy for Institutions of Higher Education (available online at the following website: http://energy.gov/management/listings/policy-flashes<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.m7qt7tia2AlGsTDjcssBQMbZKbEvU1JVp-2F3eYaPcjAhyDoExRYk1-2FQ40u-2BCFq-2Bdi0OgHeZTKVnpGrhDLXv6KLg-3D-3DDoLc_J0t3AyzaM4tXOmzaGF1QHs53KdbV0lQQn7hvpa0h5xTlAYxKB4Y-2F1YX-2BswfvSH9WQ4-2FtnsHcD7OLVWyioLzMrxmSpWtZ0qlmmz-2BFZW4-2BvGfiIDgaSs-2BrXCMophSx0vP1lQsWwVpAGxi5f7JwVElyth6bCTCap7k7e-2BqFeXJzwr-2BWE1YN0h72xx-2Fmufl8k2VVBg9k6yr9H0jzZaKW6xrTzpV-2Bu4hQiHWx1M0vwk9F0PhtsJg185H0E-2BwO1U8c6ccyl2sWpd0V6-2BuemUUvXcvV1qqu3ATwqfeevJzTJbWp-2FQKzz5ixoClZsI1wVjouPUulOL5oKOHPklJfQ3PxLq8x-2BetPLNGI280gVb8G6jNQv5YCQHroTyKkIiJMg1s1A8r6aXv-2BADoiqWw2RTRMROgqBA-3D-3D__;!!Bg5easoyC-OII2vlEqY8mTBrtW-N4OJKAQ!OTxyxbV4fuJNNAOWQWaoFwEndui1Od4fEafDSnWKmq0V2xCxE3hX6NnFYRVF2g1H0XtqeTrhVGghCWGhWEhZ0jG4t9ZM$>) announcing the immediate implementation of a 15% IDC cap for all new grant awarded to Institutes of Higher Education (IHEs). The policy also indicated that "the Department is undertaking action to terminate all grant awards to IHEs that do not conform with this updated policy. See 2 C.F.R. 200.340(a), (b). Recipients subject to termination will receive separate notice and guidance." 

On Monday, April 14, 2025, in response to the new policy, the Association of American Universities (of which UCR is a member) and other plaintiffs filed a request for a temporary restraining order (see https://www.aau.edu/key-issues/legal-filings-submitted-aau-aplu-ace-and-universities-contesting-cuts-energy-research).

That same day, DOE issued ‘conditional termination notices’ to IHEs, including UCR. The conditional termination notice provided 2 options: either (i) terminate the existing awards in 30 days or (ii) accept the lower 15% IDC rate by having a duly authorized representative respond by email within 30 days and send a letter via first-class mail or overnight carrier to the Department official identified, confirming agreement to an updated indirect cost rate of 15 percent on existing DOE awards.

On Wednesday, April 16th, the court granted the request for, and issued, a temporary restraining order (TRO) (see https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mad.283318/gov.uscourts.mad.283318.34.0.pdf<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mad.283318/gov.uscourts.mad.283318.34.0.pdf__;!!JmPEgBY0HMszNaDT!uoWLVo_YvOBJPfsgDfPD70D0f6MmisZ9MDwq_OCE8qY3ZD2vmeb2k7MHI8BnuJKCI1-f_TUG33rq94fsDrN5_XUJg8W6ucHI$>).

*** UC GUIDANCE ***

UC Legal has provided the following guidance regarding the above DOE TRO and our approach for new proposal submissions:

Proposals
Please continue to submit proposals using our federally negotiated IDC rate, but to minimize the chance that DOE will reject the proposal on that basis, include the disclaimer language (see below) in proposal submissions even while the TRO is in place. The TRO is only temporary and is not guaranteed to remain in place throughout the proposal process; thus, without a disclaimer the project could be denied outright for non-compliance when submitted with the negotiated rate if the TRO is no longer in effect.

Language to include in proposal submissions:
“We are aware of the April 11, 2025, Department of Energy Policy Flash: Adjusting Department of Energy Grant Policy for Institutions of Higher Education (IHE), regarding indirect cost rates.  We will honor the rate identified in this guidance if imposed, but we reserve the right to re-implement the negotiated rate in the event that this guidance is rescinded, modified, or otherwise not applicable to this grant application.”

Conditional Terminations
UC campuses should NOT respond to the conditional termination notices at this time.

RED will provide further information as circumstances evolve.  Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact REDalert at ucr.edu<mailto:REDalert at ucr.edu>.

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NASA NEWS

NASA Shared Services Center: Notification of Updated GCAM and GCAT

Dear NASA Grantee Community,

NASA has updated the NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual (GCAM) and NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions (GCAT) to comply with recently issued Executive Orders. Both documents are now available on the NASA Grants Policy and Compliance website<https://www.nasa.gov/grants-policy-and-compliance-team/#Regulations> under the “Regulations, Guidance, and Forms” section. We thank you for your patience and understanding while we worked to update these documents.

NASA Payment Request Monthly Cut-off Update

Dear NASA Grantee Community,

NASA has implemented an early cut-off for drawdowns each month.  All NASA payment requests must be requested in the Payment Management System on the 26th* of each month by 3:30 p.m. US Eastern Time.  If the 26th of the month falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday, payment requests must be made on the preceding workday.  The Payment Management System will re-open for NASA drawdowns on the first business day of each month.  For questions, please contact your NASA Center Point of Contact at nssc-contactcenter at mail.nasa.gov<mailto:nssc-contactcenter at mail.nasa.gov> or your PMS Liaison Accountant.

Thank you for your work and partnership with NASA.

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NIH Implementation of New Initiatives and Policies

NIH has developed a webpage to serve as a central location where users can learn more about the status of changes impacting the NIH grants process and plans for implementing new initiatives and policies. READ MORE<https://xgs7nbtab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001C0EwN7eNiORcKR1lQ883raRPd3BWGO5LH7IftBaAJFrbu1f4xpR0HUWegYQUq85BbHZuTaYtSkjQu6AaCY5jSFd4oz8SZJ3Qj2EbzsLhHm23jR3X_rFb52zr99BT4kGR1qaHY-ufYfKeruvL742rZWbA2SgjmDEz96izGNOicG3J1vR9WmJoBNgScUUzOwh_Hc0Z4hlBASwJKXCYqy20y7ULcVXBh2Xy9YfdFP1B9OXialJKmIIRQw==&c=sU_LObfz5MT0-hP_mCuAtJiYL2W9ru1IESeZN9Rl9GXZWCdskGTpOQ==&ch=AI2QJ-sBqxAUyMzLP3H4Yn9aHyvQx1iNTkuYI2lJ0RmoFY0HxnD9Kg==>

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NSF FAQs

NSF is receiving a large volume of submissions and, therefore, may be unable to respond individually to questions. You can direct your questions through this webform<https://touchpoints.app.cloud.gov/touchpoints/6e36cab2>. As NSF collects questions, they will compile and post frequently asked questions (FAQs) on their executive order implementation webpage<https://new.nsf.gov/executive-orders>. Please check that webpage regularly to access the FAQs. Below are new and updated FAQs.

  *   (Updated) Will the NSF GRFP continue to award fellowships in 2025? If so, when can applicants expect to hear the results?

     *   All public information on the GRFP announcement is available at  nsfgrfp.org<http://url1157.cogr.edu/ls/click?upn=u001.HVdtiAQqH-2BBO4EFdv7-2BOctovlUDAxkMahwBtk7GvWzsWHitMtsXyxt6lYU2JjWFUtk-5_gTQ-2Fosa8BXVWK9Ez76aoTMcAjgoN7FmNUjlWya5RwHhEViYP6imW0meviGYNMtdQQmlMLjIxYcPddgkvDaHUkyB3hYDBqzovd-2BEpzuHSAcXgjVjmIwzPKtr2wsfSM60yBK4qkpRrphp89rDzrTOW5yJotuam8-2FeZB-2FFqBKhYwQzHw-2BfsKRntrGEpm89am2ue9MwdSZ3lG-2FiJPzNyggmiZHV7m3mVEslYFmrvSkjyHAtZaIpNilNTbKTpIkCteEC68CF69bOtAJphGkBX-2FnLmLyAmR3u4UYNXXcJPzZJBGjsFXHRXRUEAz-2BoYSam-2FVnkQ69XEPURQ627Sf-2BQ6tWy48FWp0338TRa6mWQvForSc7WVmmha30SFOkvVB6sPpQz8> . You may also send GRFP applicant questions to  info at nsfgrfp.org<mailto:info at nsfgrfp.org> .

  *   (New) Can I submit a supplement request for my active NSF award?

     *   Yes. NSF is currently receiving and processing supplement requests. However, NSF offers different types of supplements, subject to the availability of funding. Please follow any guidance for the specific type of supplement you are proposing (e.g., Dear Colleague Letter, Solicitation, PAPPG VI.E.5). Most importantly, please consult the program officer for your award before submitting such a request.

  *   (Updated)  What is the likelihood of changes to the scheduled future year increments of my award?

     *   All awards are subject to availability of funding for each fiscal year.

IMPACT23 – Weekly Office Hours: Kuali Sponsored Programs

Please join us for the weekly Kuali Sponsored Programs Office Hours each Thursday from 9 – 9:30 a.m.

We hope to see you there!
Please visit https://impact23.ucr.edu/impact23-calendar for the listing of all Impact23 Office Hours, including links to copy a ZOOM meeting to your calendar.

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<mailto:cwells at ucr.edu>.

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