[Research] USDA Update and Research Administrators INC

Wed Jun 3 15:12:45 PDT 2026

*~~ Please disseminate this information with those*

*researchers (especially USDA researchers) and research administrators*

*in your department who may find it noteworthy ~~*

*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 (including CA) joining together to file a
Motion for a Preliminary Injunction. The Motion is asking the court to
preliminarily enjoin USDA from applying and enforcing the challenged
conditions to Plaintiff States).

*Update*

The court held a hearing on the Motion for a Preliminary Injunction this
week, however, it has not yet issued a decision. The plaintiffs emphasized
the urgency, given all of the pending requests, and the court appeared
receptive to the need to issue a ruling quickly. It is hopeful that there
may be a favorable ruling within the next week or so.

In the interim, UC Legal has advised that the UC campuses should* no longer*
include the previously provided Reservation of Rights language (shown
below) in proposal applications.

*“The USDA General Terms and Conditions include multiple terms and
conditions that are the subject of ongoing litigation in Massachusetts v.
USDA, Case No. 26-cv-11396 (D. Mass), including Sections 12.2, 13.5, 13.8
and 13.10 of the USDA General Terms and Conditions for Federal Awards.*

*By submitting this application, University of California Riverside does
not agree to the disputed terms and reserves the right to review the
applicable terms at the time it receives any proposed award in light of any
developments in that ongoing litigation.”*

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

*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 5th* <https://events.ucr.edu/calendar/day/2026/3/27> – NIH’s
upcoming Standard Due Date for New Research Grants (R01) and Cooperative
Agreements (U01)
<https://grants.nih.gov/grants-process/submit/submission-policies/standard-due-dates>.
  Reminder: These proposals are due to RED, in final form, two (2) business
days prior (i.e., 6/3/2026).

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