FAQs Related to the 2025 Federal Administration Transition

This Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page includes answers to general questions related to the 2025 Federal Administration Transition, and it will be updated as new information becomes available.  For agency-specific questions, please refer to the Agency Communications section of the Federal Updates Resulting from Administration Transition webpage.  Links to relevant agency-issued FAQs are included at the bottom of this page.  

• – Things are evolving quickly. What do I need to know now as a researcher?

  • Researchers should continue their work on existing awards and research, and they should continue submitting proposals. We suggest that you keep an eye on announcements from the federal agency overseeing your grant or contract for any updates on funding or compliance requirements. The University is following federal actions closely and will continue to update the campus community.

• – Should I continue responding to grant solicitations?

  • Faculty should continue submitting applications for active federal award solicitations.

• – Are there any special considerations for researchers writing proposals for current or expected solicitations? What if the solicitation appears to be in conflict with an executive order?

  • Some solicitations are being amended to include updated instructions based on executive orders. We encourage investigators to look for updates to solicitations to make sure the most up-to-date instructions are being followed.  If you are not sure if you have the latest solicitation guidance, please check with your research administrator or OSP Proposal Team.  It is also important to confirm dates related to proposals, including due dates. Some opportunities may be closed or postponed, and some due dates may change.

    We encourage faculty to read all solicitations carefully, as some funding announcements have recently been revised, and revisions and deletions in the wording may or may not be highlighted.

    Please keep in mind that sponsor proposal review timelines have been delayed at some agencies while federal agencies navigate pauses on federal assistance funding.

• – How will I know if my sponsored program award is affected?

  • As of now, most research should continue as planned. Unless the sponsor has issued an award-specific stop-work order or pause in activities in writing, researchers should continue conducting research on federal awards. If OSP/CGA becomes aware of a stop work order, we will be in contact with the affected MSU investigators. Faculty should follow the latest guidance provided by the funding agency and reach out to their program officers for more information as needed.

• – What should I do if I receive a stop-work order for my project or have immediate concerns about non-renewal of funding?

  • If you receive a stop-work order, request or direction for change(s) in terms and/or scope of work, or similar communication from the federal government on a specific project and OSP or CGA has not already been copied on the communication, please send the communication to CGA Awards group. 

    Although sponsor communication may be addressed to an OSP/CGA staff member, it is sometimes sent via email to the project director to handle.  In that case, please do not assume the correspondence was transmitted separately to OSP or CGA and share accordingly.  

    For other types of correspondence or concerns related to your project, please see OSP/CGA contact list for the appropriate group. 

    You may receive notification of new terms relating to executive orders or requests for certification. Please contact OGC via this form before responding. An OGC attorney will coordinate with OSP/CGA for review if it relates to a sponsored project and to provide guidance.

    Investigators who receive verbal stop-work orders should request a written notice.

• – I have a specific question about my sponsored program. Where do I go for information?

  • We understand that many researchers have award-specific concerns. Please send your questions to CGA Awards group.