Communication to Research Community

Sent on behalf of Dr. Jack G. Baldauf, Vice President of Research, and Sponsored Research Services

Dear Research Community, 

As you may be aware, several Executive Orders issued by the new presidential administration may impact proposal submissions, funded research, and new awards. Federal agencies are taking individual actions; some have suspended public communications, including publication of regulations, grant announcements, notices, guidance, and social media, unless approved by administration officials. To keep the research community up to date as this matter continues to develop, the Division of Research is establishing a webpage to serve as a resource. We will provide the URL (https://research.tamu.edu/executive-orders/) as soon as the page is established and content is updated.

Sponsor Information

Department of State

As of Friday, January 24, 2025, Sponsored Research Services received a directive from the Department of State to stop work effective 11:59pm, January 25, 2025 on certain research contracts to comply with Executive Orders: 1) “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing” OR  2) Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid.”

If a research project is impacted by a stop work order, all work must cease, which includes spending, project planning, implementation, travel, and all other activities. SRS is in the process of contacting Principal Investigators individually via email if their Department of State funded project is affected.

FHA/ US Dept of Transportation

As of Friday, January 24, 2025, Sponsored Research Services received a directive from two FHA/US Department of Transportation to stop work effective 11:59pm, January 25, 2025 on certain research contracts to comply with Executive Orders: 1) “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing” OR  2) Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid.”

If a research project is impacted by a stop work order, all work must cease, which includes spending, project planning, implementation, travel, and all other activities.  SRS is in the process of contacting Principal Investigators individually via email if their FHA/USDOT funded project is affected.

Department of Energy

Sponsored Research Services has been notified that the Department of Energy is suspending the release of some new awards, funding actions, funding opportunities, no-cost extensions, and other modifications until review of agency policies has taken place to ensure compliance with all Executive Orders.  Based on communication from the Department of Energy, they are hopeful delays will be minimal.

“Procurement Announcements and Actions: Any announcements or awards regarding procurement opportunities and contracts are to be put on hold, other than for routine building operations and supplies for contracts with a value of less than $100,000. This includes, but is not limited to, requests for proposals (RFPs), requests for quotations (RFQs), and contract negotiations. Such approvals will be made in writing by the Secretary (acting) or the Head of Departmental Element with the prior approval of the Secretary (acting).”

“Funding Actions: All funding and financial assistance activities including loans, loan guarantees, grants, cost sharing agreements, funding opportunity announcements, and contracts shall not be announced, approved, finalized, modified, or provided until a review of such takes place to ensure compliance with Congressional authorization and Administration policy. Such approvals will be made in writing by the Secretary (acting) or the program head with the prior approval of the Secretary (acting).”

Full text can be found here: Action Memorandum signed by Acting Secretary of Energy Ingrid C. Kolb dated January 20, 2025.pdf

DOE is immediately ending the requirement for Promoting Inclusive and Equitable Research (PIER) Plans in any proposal submitted to the Office of Science. All open solicitations have been, or will be amended to remove the PIER Plan requirement and associated review criterion. For proposals that have already been submitted to the Office of Science, no action on the part of the applicant is required, but applicants will have the option to resubmit a new application with the removal of the PIER plan. Reviewers will not be asked to read or comment on PIER Plans. Selection decisions will not take into consideration the content of PIER Plans or any reviewer comments on PIER Plans. If you have questions, please email questions@science.doe.gov.

NASA

Sponsored Research Services has been notified that NASA is suspending the release of new awards, funding actions, funding opportunities, no-cost extensions, and other modifications until review of agency policies has taken place to ensure compliance with all Executive Orders.  Based on communication received from NASA, they are hopeful delays will be minimal.

“Effective immediately, NASA Grants and Cooperative Agreements Terms and Conditions must be updated to remove any reference to DEIA initiatives and programs.  NASA Shared Services Center (NSSC) will continue to work packages; however, the Grant Officer is not able to award until the agency Terms and Conditions are updated.  NASA appreciates your patience with the award delays as we continue to work diligently to complete all grant and cooperative agreement awards.”

NIH

Sponsored Research Services has not received communication from NIH regarding the impact of the E.O.s on proposal submissions, funded research, and new awards.  The newly issued E.O. ordered the cancellation of meetings, including study sections, a freeze on hiring, and a pause on communications until February 1, 2025.  The pause on communications is a challenge for universities with NIH funding.  As guidance becomes more readily available the DOR website will be updated.

COUNCIL ON GOVERNMENT RELATIONS 

COGR, Council on Government Relations, the national authority on federal policies and regulations affecting U.S. Research institutions is monitoring this situation closely and has posted helpful resources on their website which are being updated as new information is available: 2025 Administration Transition Information & Resources | Council on Governmental Relations

A summary of all the Executive Orders and potential impacts to research grants and contracts research is especially informative.  Summary of Executive Orders_1.24.25.xlsx  

As information becomes available from federal sponsors regarding how they will implement the E.O.s we will update the DOR webpage. We understand that there will be questions related to human resources and the impact that the actions will have on researchers and staff. Please work with your local H.R. team for guidance. For all other matters related to proposals or project administration please contact your SRS liaison.