Dear Colleagues,
We continue to monitor changes affecting federally sponsored programs. As indicated in a 3-10-25 email from Dr. Jeitschko and Dr. Gage, MSU has received project terminations at this point. Notices impacting specific projects are communicated directly to principal investigators. If you receive notice of a termination directly from a sponsor, please verify it was communicated to OSP or CGA and/or please send it to CGA Awards group. Below are general updates since our last email.
Questionnaires and Certifications from Federal Agencies
Federal agencies have been sending questions and requests for certifications related to project and/or institutional activities to faculty/principal investigators directly. Faculty have received the requests with directions that include very short turn-around times (a few expecting a five-business hour response). As a reminder, please do not respond to institutional questions or provide certifications. Some of the project questions related to Executive Orders merit getting advice internally prior to responding. Options to pursue requested actions are included on the: SPA Updates page under Guidance Related to Agency Communications.
NSF Guidance on Activities
NSF has updated its Frequently Asked Questions section regarding continuing projects under rescinded Memorandum M-25-13 and added the following:
- Q: Is there a list of keywords I should avoid in my proposal to make it compliant with the executive orders?
- A: NSF does not recommend using a keyword-based approach. Instead, focus on the substance of your proposal.
Other Federal Agencies and Keyword Searches
We are aware of other agencies pursuing keyword reviews as they work to implement new Executive Orders. Some resulting statements of work or title change requests have been minor. If you receive directions from a program officer on statement of work change(s), please try to get the request or direction in writing and communicate with OSP/CGA as identified above (and on the SPA Updates page) and they will coordinate getting advice from the MSU Office of General Counsel (OGC).
NIH Study Sessions
NIH study section meetings are again being scheduled. The next NIH Council meetings are scheduled for May 29-30, 2025. The issuance of new and competing awards may be later than expected.
Funding Opportunities
When preparing applications or proposals, please confirm that the funding announcement has not been revised, postponed, or had its deadlines changed. Several programs have been cancelled or modified.
Resources for Understanding F&A Cost Reimbursement
We have added more COGR* resources to the SPA/OSP/CGA** Federal Updates Resulting from Administration Transition page on understanding the importance of Facilities and Administrative Costs reimbursement. In case you want to learn more and link to a few of those resources directly, please see:
Thank you for your continued efforts! Feel free to share this email with MSU colleagues.
Listserv Information Reminder:
This listserv shares important updates, including revised policies, training opportunities, sponsor announcements, and technology/system changes. It also distributes the SPA Newsletter and Kuali Research Updates.
- To Join: Email listserv@list.msu.edu with the words "subscribe SPONPRGMS-OSP-CGANEWS" as the first line in the body of the message.
- To Unsubscribe: Email listserv@list.msu.eduwith "unsubscribe SPONPRGMS-OSP-CGANEWS" as the first line in the body of the message.
*COGR resources were created in combination with other advocacy groups/associations.
**Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA), Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), and Contract and Grant Administration (CGA)
Twila Fisher Reighley
Assoc. VP for research
Sponsored Programs Administration
Michigan State University reighley@msu.edu
