National Science Foundation
To date, Sponsored Research Services (SRS) has received a small number of stop-work orders (SWOs) and project termination from NSF. In such cases, representatives from SRS, the assigned associate vice president for research (AVPR) and the research dean from the principal investigator’s college will reach out to the principal investigator (PI) to develop a termination plan according to the SWO and termination mitigation strategies. If you as a PI receive notice from a federal agency of a SWO or termination, please forward to SRS and the AVPR.
Federal Stop-Work and Project-termination Notices
Principal investigators: Immediately forward any federal stop-work or project-termination notice to Sponsored Research Services and your designated associate vice president for research.
Texas A&M University is monitoring this rapidly evolving situation and acting as needed. For the most current information, please see the Office of Government Relations Federal Policy Updates.
We are also aware of additional project terminations coming from National Science Foundation (NSF). We are actively monitoring these communications and working with affected principal investigators (PIs).
2025 Facilities and Administrative (F&A) Updates
- June 23: The Texas A&M University System submitted our feedback to the Joint Associations Group (JAG) on the two proposed FAIR models for calculating indirect cost reimbursements. We expect a final model to be determined by the JAG and presented to Congress before the end of the month. Please note that this is only a proposal, and we anticipate more changes in the process as legislators debate this model.
- June 20: a US District Court that the National Science Foundation’s 15% F&A rate cap was “invalid, unreasonable, and unlawful.” While the administration may choose to appeal the ruling, the rate cap is not in effect currently.
- June 13: The Department of Defense (DoD) has issued a memo announcing the Implementation of a 15% Indirect Cost Cap on Assistance Awards to Institutions of Higher Education. DoD had previously shared plans to implement the rate cap but had not formally announced it. Similar to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the 15% indirect cost (F&A) rate cap applies to new awards effective immediately. DoD states that existing DoD grants and cooperative agreements will need to be renegotiated by no later than 11/10/25. On June 18, a federal court has issued a nationwide temporary restraining order in response to a lawsuit filed by the Association of American Universities (AAU), the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), the American Council on Education (ACE), and several affected institutions of higher education. The lawsuit challenges the Department of Defense’s (DoD) recently implemented policy capping indirect cost (F&A) reimbursement rates at 15% for new federal assistance awards. Key Take aways, the DoD may not enforce the 15% F&A cap on any new awards issued on or after June 12, 2025, until further notice and the restraining order applies to all institutions across all states.
- May 19: NSF updated its FAQs stating that NSF has paused implementation of the 15% indirect cost rate policy. This clarifies that new awards will not be subject to the cap, pending the June 13 court hearing. NSF added questions focus areas, appeals and other compliance with anti-discrimination. See questions 28 through 34 on the FAQ page.
- May 5: The Association of American Universities, the American Council on Education and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, along with a number of affected research university co-plaintiffs, jointly filed a lawsuit contesting this change of F&A rates for NSF grants and cooperative agreements.
- May 2: The NSF notified Institutions of Higher Education that it is applying a F&A rate not to exceed 15% to all grants and cooperative agreements. This applies only to new awards made on or after May 5, and does not apply retroactively to existing awards.
Research Priorities
On April 18, NSF updated its guidance on the priorities. NSF uses two statutory criteria to ensure that every award has the potential to advance new knowledge (Intellectual Merit) with maximum impact on the nation and its people (Broader Impacts). The principles of merit, competition, equal opportunity and excellence are the bedrock of the NSF mission. NSF continues to review all projects using Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts criteria. NSF’s broadening participation activities, including activities undertaken in fulfillment of the Broader Impacts criterion, and research on broadening participation, must aim to create opportunities for all Americans. For more details see the NSF Update on Research Priorities, which includes a FAQ section.
To date, Sponsored Research Services (SRS) has received a small number of stop-work orders (SWOs) and project termination from NSF. In such cases, representatives from SRS, the assigned associate vice president for research (AVPR) and the research dean from the principal investigator’s college will reach out to the principal investigator (PI) to develop a termination plan according to the SWO and termination mitigation strategies. If you as a PI receive notice from a federal agency of a SWO or project termination, please forward to SRS and the AVPR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Per NSF’s website dedicated to the implementation of Executive Orders, there is a section for FAQs, a few of those questions are listed below that may be of the most interest to the research community. The full listing of NSF Frequently Asked Question page found here.
NSF has restored access to the ACM$ system as of 12:00 PM ET on February 2, 2025 and is in compliance with the TRO.
The TRO does not impact the ongoing review of our award portfolio to identify active grants in the context of recent Executive Orders. We will continue the comprehensive review of our award portfolio.
NSF can not take action to delay or stop payment for active awards based solely on actual or potential non-compliance with the Executive Orders. However, the TRO reserves the agency’s right to take action for reasons not related to compliance with the executive orders, such as violations of law, regulation, or current NSF grant terms and conditions.
Yes. Proposals may be submitted on Research.gov.
Due dates are subject to change. NSF will publish revised funding opportunities as necessary.
NSF will publish revised funding opportunities as necessary and will communicate any updates to the research community via NSF’s established communication processes. Our intent is to resume proposal processing and review activities for funding opportunities as soon as possible.
Consistent with the district court’s order, NSF awardees may continue activities consistent with the current terms and conditions of their NSF awards at this time.