Find guidance on funding and agency updates during the federal government transition (updated 3/11/2025)

Home Research Services
Research Services

Updates on 2025 Federal Research Policy Changes

Find guidance and resources to navigate new research-specific requirements, regulations, or systems for working with federal sponsors.

(Updated Tuesday, March 11, 3:32 PM ET)

Cornell Research & Innovation is actively monitoring the federal government transition, executive orders, and agency guidance. We are working closely with university leadership to ensure compliance with changes that may impact Cornell. Our teams are collaborating with our professional associations to understand and track the implications of these directives as well. 

Go to: Federal Agency Guidance and Updates | Cornell Guidance and Updates

Feb. 21 court actions: NIH supplemental guidance on indirect costs remains enjoined due to continued court actions. On Feb. 21, a federal judge ruled that the temporary restraining orders issued on Feb. 10 will remain in effect until she rules on a preliminary injunction motion. A ruling is expected within the next two weeks. Researchers and sponsored research administrators should continue to process NIH awards and proposals as they did before Feb. 7.

Reported pause in NIH updates: Cornell is monitoring reports of a pause of NIH updates to the Federal Register. While there have been no official statements from the NIH, we are aware that study sections and advisory council meetings have been cancelled, and no new NIH-related meeting notices have been posted since 1/21/25. The impact is currently limited to new grants and renewal applications; the next year of funding for active awards should not be impacted. We will continue to monitor the situation.

Note: Cornell is aware of a legal, temporary pause to federal agencies' actions to "pause, freeze, impede, block, cancel, or terminate any awards or obligations on the basis of the OMB Memo, or on the basis of the President’s recently issued Executive Orders." The full extent of this notice’s impact on ongoing federal agency-sponsored research projects, programs, and activities is not yet clear.

Proposals 

  • Cornell researchers are encouraged to continue to submit proposals. The federal agency submission systems are operational.
  • Sponsor proposal review timelines may be extended while federal agencies navigate pauses in specific areas. 

Actions to Take: 

  • There may be changes to proposal deadlines. Reconfirming deadlines is recommended.
  • Confirm that the funding announcement has not been revised or postponed.
  • Consider signing up for funding alerts from the sponsor. 

Awards 

  • The terms and conditions of your executed award remain enforceable as long as your award is active.  Continue with business as usual.
  • Continuations and post-award action approvals by federal agencies may be delayed. 

Actions to Take: 

  • Review your award to ensure you understand your funding availability and reimbursement terms.
  • Closely monitor obligated budget balances to avoid deficits while awaiting future obligations. Anticipated future funding remains subject to availability of funds and should not be considered guaranteed.
  • Prioritize the submission of any technical reports or deliverables, especially those that may  be past due.
  • Keep an eye on communications from your funding sponsor.
  • Share all agency communications related to federally funded projects with researchimpact@cornell.edu and cc: Mary-Margaret Klempa, Senior Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs (mk636@cornell.edu). 

Cornell Updates

Published on: Friday, January 24, 2025 - 3:48pm