Federal Funding Updates Under the New Administration

Update, 1/24/2025 3PM – Clarifications regarding obligated budget balances have been added to the general Awards section (in gray font). The DOS drop-down section has been replaced with a combined USAID and DOS drop-down, and a new drop-down for DEIA has been added.

Update, 1/24/2025 11AM – Additional updates have been added in-line using turquoise font.

Update, 1/24/2025 10AM – Guidance for Doing Business with ASU Procurement Under Federally Funded Projects has been added below in copper font. Several current Executive Orders, as well as potential future directives (e.g., those related to tariffs), may significantly impact your project and the associated procurement processes. It is crucial to stay informed about these developments and factor them into your planning and decision-making to ensure compliance and minimize disruptions.

Update, 1/23/2025 – Additional guidance has been added in maroon font below, and new drop-down sections have been added with Executive Action information and sponsor-specific guidance.

1/22/2025 – The current administration, led by President Trump, took office on January 20, 2025. Since then, several Executive Orders have been issued (White House News), which may signal shifts in federal priorities. These changes could potentially impact both your awarded projects and those awaiting funding from federal agencies or sponsors.

As federal agencies and sponsors adapt to these developments, ASU Research Operations will continue to provide you with guidance, updates, and links to relevant resources to help you navigate this evolving landscape.  If you receive information that isn’t already within this page, please forward it to [email protected] for inclusion.

Proposals

  • We will continue to submit proposals as the federal agencies submission systems are operational.
  • Sponsor proposal review timelines may be extended while federal agencies navigate pauses on federal assistance funding in specific areas.
  • At-Risk account activation for pending proposals is not recommended at this time, and requests for Knowledge Enterprise (KE) Guarantee will not be approved while federal guidance and funding priorities are in transition. At-risk requests with unit guarantees may be able to move forward, but the unit should proceed with caution. See Awards section below for additional at-risk guidance.

What to Do:

  • There may be changes to proposal deadlines. It is recommended to reconfirm the deadline.
  • Reconfirm that the funding announcement has not been revised or postponed. If available, consider signing up for alerts from the federal agency or sponsor.

Awards

  • The terms and conditions of your executed award remain enforceable so long as your award is active.  This includes the ability to invoice and receive reimbursement.  Please continue with business as usual.   If there is a change to your award, ASU will receive an amendment for review and execution.
  • We anticipate updates to award Research Compliance requirements. These changes could either be implemented directly by a federal agency or sponsor or may require an amendment on a project-by-project basis. We will share any information we receive with you, though you may also receive instructions directly from your Program Officer.  It is crucial to act swiftly to ensure compliance with any new requirements, as failure to do so could jeopardize funding. If you need assistance managing research compliance matters related to research security/export control, please contact [email protected]. For assistance managing research compliance matters related to IRB, IBC, IACUC, COI, and RCR contact [email protected].
  • We anticipate updates to award reporting requirements. These changes could either be implemented directly by a federal agency or sponsor or may require an amendment on a project-by-project basis. We will share any information we receive with you, though you may also receive instructions directly from your Program Officer.  It is crucial to act swiftly to ensure you are complying with any new reporting requirements, as failure to do so could jeopardize funding. If you need assistance managing any requests, please contact your Unit Post-Award RA. Unit RAs will coordinate with AMT where needed.
  • If specific programs are terminated or restructured, you may encounter difficulties accessing funds or meeting new criteria. Federal agencies managing these programs will typically issue guidance on how to proceed.  We will pass this along promptly if/when received.
  • If a program or initiative is reduced or defunded, there could be delays or pauses in payments for existing grants under those programs. While this is rare, it may occur if funding for a program is rescinded or redirected.
  • It is not recommended to extend an At-Risk status unless the project is at significant risk of being negatively impacted.  If an At-Risk status has already been initiated for your project due to indications from the federal agency regarding an award, ongoing negotiations, or awaiting the next funding increment, it is encouraged to keep your department informed about the potential risks associated with any future funding decision.
    • At-risk requests for Knowledge Enterprise (KE) Guarantee will not be approved. At-risk requests with unit guarantees can move forward, but the unit should proceed with caution.

What to Do:

  • Review Your Grant Agreement: Ensure you understand the terms, especially clauses related to funding availability and reimbursement.
  • 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.
    • When an award is signed, the federal agency allocates a portion of the total approved budget as obligated funds.   ASU as the recipient can incur expenses up to the obligated amount and these expenses will be reimbursed*.  Any expenses incurred within the scope of the award and covered by obligated funds will be reimbursed.  Future expenses beyond the current obligation will not be reimbursed.
    • The same principles apply to subawards. When an award is signed, the federal agency allocates a portion of the total approved budget as obligated funds. ASU, as the recipient, can authorize subawardees to incur expenses up to the obligated amount, and these expenses will be reimbursed*. Any expenses incurred by subawardees within the scope of the subaward and covered by obligated funds will be reimbursed. However, future expenses beyond the current obligation will not be reimbursed unless additional funds are formally obligated.
    • *Note for Stop-work Orders: Only costs through the date of receipt of the notice are typically reimbursable.
  • Communicate with the Grant Officer: Stay in touch with your program or grant officer to confirm there are no changes affecting your award.
  • Reports and Deliverables.  Prioritize the submission any technical reports or deliverables that may have be past due.
  • Monitor Policy Updates: Keep an eye on announcements from the federal agency overseeing your grant for any updates on funding or compliance requirements.
  • When engaging in procurement activities for federally funded projects, please consider the following:
    • If federal funding has not been obligated to ASU to pay for the procurement, then consider postponing or canceling the procurement until the required funds are provided.   If this is a procurement that requires further consideration or resources from ASU, please contact Assistant VP – Research Operations, Heather Clark at [email protected] and Director – Post Award Services, Nick Petersen at [email protected]
    • If a procurement is in process, review the terms and conditions of the agreement for cancellation provisions and upcoming payment milestones.   If you have any questions, please contact Interim Director Strategic Partnerships, Lorana Myers at [email protected]
    • If an agreement is being negotiated, collaborate with your assigned ASU Procurement Contracting Officer to ensure the terms and conditions align with the current funding availability.
    • When obtaining quotes for a procurement request the country of origin be included and ensure the quote includes a validity period during which the vendor is committed to maintaining the quoted prices without alteration.
    • If you are able to secure equipment, materials, or supplies for your project using your currently obligated funds, you are encouraged to proceed with doing so.
    • Continue to verify the availability of funds and stay informed about any policy changes that could impact your projects.

Executive Actions and Federal Agency Guidance

The Presidential Actions list below, prepared by Beacon Global Strategies on behalf of ASU, includes Executive Orders, Memorandums, and Proclamations. The APLU Overview highlights additional Executive Orders.

  • An Executive Order (EO) directs government operations and has the force of law.
  • A Proclamation is a formal statement often ceremonial or symbolic.
  • A Memorandum provides policy guidance or instructions, typically less formal than an EO. 

As federal agencies issue official guidance and updates, additional sections will be added below.

Federal Health Agency guidance applies for all HHS entities (NIH, CDC, FDA were listed as examples, key ASU sponsors in the field), but the guidance extends to SAMHSA, ARPA-H, etc.)

Suspended travel using federal health agency funding includes all types of travel, (in-state/local, out of state, and international). Effective immediately and until further notice.

Key Actions  
  • Press Release: President Trump’s America First Priorities  
    • Summary: The press release lays out an agenda focused on border security, energy independence, government reform, and the preservation of traditional values. President Trump plans to announce stricter immigration policies, including building a border wall, deploying military support, and designating certain drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. He also aims to achieve energy independence by reversing President Biden’s climate policies, withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord, and reducing regulatory burdens on energy production. Additional priorities include streamlining government operations, addressing censorship, and directing the State Department to embrace an “America-First” foreign policy.
  • Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions (EO)
    • Summary: This EO revokes over 80 executive orders published and implemented during the Biden administration. Additionally, it calls for the National Security Advisor to conduct a review of all National Security Memoranda (NSMs) issued during the Biden administration. Notable recissions include the October 2023 EO on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence, as well as several EO’s advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
  • Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship (EO)
    • Summary: This EO seeks to address government censorship of free speech by ensuring federal officers do not infringe on free speech, preventing the use of taxpayer funds to facilitate censorship, and investigating allegations of censorship by previous federal government officials and agencies.
  • Ending the Weaponization of The Federal Government (EO)
    • Summary: This EO directs the Attorney General, in consultation with other agencies, to review the activities of all departments and agencies exercising civil or criminal enforcement authority over the last four years. Additionally, it directs the Director of National Intelligence to review the activities of the Intelligence Community during the Biden administration.
  • Return to In-Person Work (Memo)
    • Summary: This memo directs the heads of all executive agencies to take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to in-person work on a full-time basis, while allowing exemptions deemed necessary by agencies.
  • Regulatory Freeze Pending Review (Memo)
    • Summary: This memo orders executive agencies not to issue or propose new rules until reviewed and approved by an agency head agency head appointed by President Trump after January 20. Additionally, it calls on agencies to withdraw any rules that have been sent to the Office of the Federal Register but have not yet been published and consider postponing the effective date of published rules by 60 days for review.
  • Hiring Freeze (Memo)
    • Summary: This memo orders a freeze on the hiring of federal civilian employees across the executive branch. No positions vacant as of noon on January 20 may be filled, and no new positions may be created unless explicitly allowed by the EO or applicable law. The order exempts military personnel and positions related to immigration enforcement, national security, or public safety. Within 90 days, the Directors of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Office of Personnel Management, and DOGE must submit a plan to reduce the size of the federal workforce.
  • Delivering Emergency Price Relief for American Families and Defeating the Cost-of-Living Crisis (Memo)
    • Summary: This memo directs executive department and agency heads to deliver emergency price relief consistent with applicable law. This includes lowering housing costs and expanding supply, eliminating unnecessary administrative expenses that increase healthcare costs, and removing counterproductive requirements that raise appliance costs. It also emphasizes creating employment opportunities for American workers by drawing discouraged workers into the labor force and revoking policies that increase food and fuel costs.
  • Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements (EO)
    • Summary: This EO directs the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations to notify the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and other agreements or commitments made under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Federal agencies must report to the White House on actions taken to revoke policies supporting the International Climate Finance Plan. Finally, it calls on the Secretary of State, Secretary of Commerce, and other agency heads to prioritize “economic efficiency, American prosperity, consumer choice, and fiscal restraint” in all foreign agreements on energy policy.
  • Granting Pardons and Commutation of Sentences for Certain Offenses Relating to the Events at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021 (Proclamation)
    • Summary: This proclamation commutes sentences for 14 individuals convicted of crimes related to violence at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. In addition, this action pardons all individuals charged with crimes for actions related to violence at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
  • Application of Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act to TikTok (EO)
    • Summary: This EO instructs the Attorney General not to enforce the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act until April 5, 2025, to allow the administration time to determine the best course forward. The Attorney General must issue a letter to TikTok app providers stating that no violations or liabilities apply for conduct from January 19, 2025, to April 5, 2025.
    • Summary: This action orders the Director of National Intelligence to revoke any active security clearances of 51 former national security and intelligence community officials. The EO also directs a report by the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and Director of National Intelligence to the President on any additional disciplinary action to be taken.
  • Declaring a National Emergency at the Southern Border of the United States (Proclamation)
    • Summary: This action uses Sections 201 and 301 in the National Emergencies Act to declare a national emergency at the U.S. southern border. Using Section 12302 of Title 10, United States Code, it authorizes the use of military personnel to achieve complete operational control of the border and directs the Department of Homeland Security and the military to use unmanned aerial systems and physical barriers.
  • Memorandum to Resolve the Backlog of Security Clearances for Executive Office of the President Personnel (Memo)
    • Summary: This action provides interim Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearances to certain personnel for up to six months.
  • America First Trade Policy (Memo)
    • Summary: This EO directs various government agencies such as the Departments of Treasury, State, and Commerce, as well as the U.S. Trade Representative to investigate trade deficits, unfair trade practices, currency manipulation, focusing on U.S. economic relations with the People’s Republic of China (PRC). It also directs the U.S. Trade Representative to initiate public consultation for the renewal of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement. The order further calls for reviews of existing trade agreements, export controls, and industrial policies, with a focus on protecting American workers, manufacturers, and businesses.
  • Clarifying the Military’s Role in Protecting the Territorial Integrity of the United States (EO)
    • Summary: This action requires the Secretary of Defense to develop and propose a plan to the President to assign U.S. Northern Command the mission of securing U.S. borders. This includes addressing unlawful migration, narcotics trafficking, human smuggling, and other criminal activities.
  • Unleashing American Energy (EO)
    • Summary: This EO encourages energy exploration on federal lands and waters, increasing U.S. production of critical minerals and eliminating the “EV mandate.” This action also requires departments and agencies disbursing funds from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to review funded programs from the two laws and how they achieve energy abundance. It further directs heads of departments and agencies to identify barriers to developing energy supplies domestically, including oil, natural gas, coal, hydropower, biofuels, critical minerals, and nuclear energy.
  • Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program (EO)
    • Summary: The EO suspends the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) effective January 27, 2025, and mandates a review within 90 days to evaluate resuming admissions, with emphasis on state and local involvement in resettlement decisions. Additionally, the EO revokes 12 EOs from the Biden administration related to energy and the environment.
  • Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship (EO)
    • Summary: This EO specifies that individuals born in the United States will not automatically receive U.S. citizenship if: (1) their mother was unlawfully present in the U.S. at the time of birth, and their father was neither a U.S. citizen nor a lawful permanent resident; or (2) their mother's presence was lawful but temporary, and their father was neither a U.S. citizen nor a lawful permanent resident. This policy applies to births occurring 30 days after the order's issuance.
  • Securing Our Borders (EO)
    • Summary: This EO mandates constructing physical barriers along the southern border, deploying additional personnel to ensure operational control, and detaining individuals apprehended for immigration violations until removal. It also restores the Migrant Protection Protocols, requiring certain asylum seekers to wait in Mexico during their U.S. immigration proceedings. Additionally, the order emphasizes cooperation with state and local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws and seeks to end the practice of "catch-and-release."
  • Putting People Over Fish: Stopping Radical Environmentalism to Provide Water to Southern California (Memo)
    • Summary: This Memorandum directs the Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior to immediately resume diverting water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to Central and Southern California to improve water reliability. A progress report is required within 90 days.
  • Restoring the Death Penalty and Protecting Public Safety (EO)
    • Summary: This EO mandates the Attorney General to pursue the death penalty for all eligible severe crimes, particularly the murder of law enforcement officers or capital crimes committed by individuals unlawfully present in the U.S. It directs federal authorities to seek jurisdiction in such cases and ensure states have adequate supplies of lethal injection drugs to carry out executions. Additionally, the EO requires a review of the imprisonment conditions of the 37 individuals whose federal death sentences were commuted by President Biden, exploring possibilities for state-level capital charges against them.
  • Promoting Beautiful Civic Architecture (Memo)
    • Summary: This memo directs the Administrator of the General Services Administration to recommend federal building designs that respect regional, traditional, and classical architectural heritage within 60 days.
  • Restoring Accountability for Career Senior Executives (Memo)
    • Summary: This memorandum emphasizes restoring accountability among Career Senior Executive Service (SES) officials to ensure they effectively advance the President’s agenda and serve the American people. It directs the Office of Personnel Management and agency heads to implement performance plans, reassign SES members as needed, and reconstitute Executive Resources and Performance Review Boards with a majority of senior noncareer officials. Agency heads must take immediate action, including removal, against SES officials failing in their duties or violating policies.
  • Declaring a National Energy Emergency (EO)
    • Summary: This EO declares a national energy emergency and directs federal agencies to use all available authorities to accelerate domestic energy production, including identifying, leasing, and developing resources on federal lands. It requires agencies to streamline processes for energy transportation, refining, and generation, ensuring infrastructure improvements are prioritized. The order mandates the reversal of policies from prior administrations that restrict energy development and instructs agencies to implement measures that promote energy independence, enhance reliability, and stabilize energy costs.
  • Temporary Withdrawal of All Areas on the Outer Continental Shelf from Offshore Wind Leasing and Review of the Federal Government’s Leasing and Permitting Practices for Wind Projects (Memo)
    • Summary: This memo instructs the Secretaries of the Treasury, Interior, Agriculture, and Energy, along with Attorney General and Administrator of the EPA to temporarily withdraw all areas of the Outer Continental Shelf from offshore wind leasing and halt the issuance or renewal of permits, leases, and loans for wind projects during a review period.
  • Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid (EO)
    • Summary: The executive order mandates a 90-day suspension of new obligations and disbursements of U.S. foreign development assistance funds, pending a comprehensive review of each program's efficiency and alignment with U.S. foreign policy. The Secretary of State and the OMB Director must establish guidelines and determine whether to continue, modify, or terminate programs during the review period.
  • Organization of the National Security Council and Subcommittees (National Security Presidential Memorandum/NSPM-1)
    • Summary: This NSPM organizes the President’s National Security Council and its staff. Key changes include the integration of the Homeland Security Council (HSC) into the NSC framework, allowing the NSC to convene as the HSC on topics agreed upon by the National Security Advisor and the Homeland Security Advisor. Additionally, the Secretary of the Interior and the Director of the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy were added as members, while Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and Administrator of U.S. AID were removed who were NSC members during the Biden administration.
  • The Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) Global Tax Deal (Memo)
    • Summary:  The executive order rejects the implementation of the OECD Global Tax Deal within the United States unless approved by Congress. It also directs the Treasury Secretary and the U.S. Trade Representative to identify measures to safeguard American businesses from discriminatory or extraterritorial tax policies imposed by foreign nations, with recommendations due within 60 days.
  • Protecting the American People Against Invasion (EO)
    • Summary: This EO mandates strict enforcement of U.S. immigration laws against all inadmissible and removable aliens, prioritizing national security and public safety. It revokes previous EOs related to immigration policies and directs federal agencies to rescind any related guidance, ensuring comprehensive enforcement of immigration laws.
  • Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential (EO)
    • Summary: This EO expedites the permitting of leases for energy exploration in Alaska and prioritizes liquefied natural gas (LNG) development, including sales and transport to other parts of the U.S. and international partners. It also rescinds the cancellation for leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
  • Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats (EO)
    • Summary: This action requires the Director of National Intelligence, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and Secretary of State to review processes for visa issuance and provide recommendations for enhanced vetting and screening. This EO also tasks the federal government with determining how many migrants who illegally entered the United States are residing in the country and to take steps to remove or expel those migrants.
  • America First Policy Directive to the Secretary of State (EO)
    • Summary: This EO directs the Secretary of State to issue guidance aligning policies, programs, personnel, and operations with an “America First” foreign policy, prioritizing U.S. interests.
  • Establishing and Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (EO)
    • Summary: This EO establishes the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to implement the President’s DOGE Agenda, by modernizing U.S. government technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity. DOGE will replace the U.S. Digital Service.
  • Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government (EO)
    • Summary: This EO defines gender as assigned biological sex and rescinds Biden administration actions and guidance related to gender.
  • Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing (EO)
    • Summary:  This EO rescinds the Biden administration’s EO13985, “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government,” and terminates diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within federal agencies.
  • Reforming the Federal Hiring Process and Restoring Merit to Government Service (EO)
    • Summary:  This EO removes consideration of applicants’ sex, gender, race, or religion when applying for a federal job.
  • Designating Cartels and Other Organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (EO)
    • This EO establishes a process to designate certain international cartels and other organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations or Specially Designated Global Terrorists. This includes Mexican cartels as well as other transnational organizations such as Venezuela-based Tren de Aragua and El Salvador-based MS-13.
  • Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness (EO)
    • Summary: This EO directs agency heads to review and potentially replace members of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names within 14 days. It also calls on the Secretary of the Interior to rename certain landmarks to honor aspects of American Heritage, including restoring the name Mount McKinley to Denali and renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
  • Guaranteeing the States Protection Against Invasion (Proclamation)
    • Summary: This Proclamation defines the current situation at the border as an invasion under Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution of the United States. It suspends entry of aliens at the southern border until the invasion is declared over, halts certain provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) that could allow illegal aliens to remain in the U.S., and suspends entry into the United States of individuals who fail to provide necessary health and criminal information to U.S. authorities.
  Full List of White House Announcements  
The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU®) has posted an Overview of President Trump's Executive Orders.
The DOE has issued new guidance indicating that, until further notice, there will be delays in any funding actions. Here’s what this means for projects pending or already awarded by DOE:
  1. Pending Proposals
    • Awards will be postponed.
  2. Existing Awards
    • Work can continue if obligated funds are available.
  3. Delays in Additional Funding
    • Additional funds, including continuations and supplements, will be postponed.
  4. Award Performance
    • Performance should continue as long as funding is available unless a stop-work order has been issued.
      1. Stop-work orders are generally limited to projects funded through contracts or cooperative agreements.
      2. If a stop-work order is issued, it will be sent to Research Operations ORSPA via the [email protected] mailbox. It will then be forwarded to the [email protected] mailbox and managed by Contracting Services. A team member will collaborate with the PI, unit staff, and Research Operations – ORSPA Post-Award staff to ensure compliance with the stop-work order.
      3. Important Reminder: If a PI or RA receives a stop-work order notice directly, please forward it immediately to [email protected] for appropriate handling.
  5. Awards & Amendments/Modifications to Awards Under Negotiation
    • All awards currently under negotiation will be halted until further notice.
  6. Subrecipients
    • ASU Research Operations will notify current subrecipients under DOE funding about the recent guidance, which will impact their subaward.  This notification will include the following:
At-Risk
  • Any at-risk authorizations issued in advance of a subaward to initiate work on a project, as well as any extensions of existing at-risk authorizations, are hereby null and void.
Existing Funds:
  • Work on your project may continue as long as obligated funds are available.
Delays in Additional Funding:
  • Additional funding actions, including continuations and supplements, will be postponed.
Stop-Work Orders:
  • If a stop-work order is issued by DOE, it will apply to projects funded through contracts or cooperative agreements.
  • Should a stop-work order be issued for your project, you will be notified promptly. If you receive a stop-work order directly, please forward it to [your institution's contact email] immediately for review and coordination, with a cc to [email protected].
Awards Under Negotiation:
  • Any pending awards under negotiation will be paused until further notice.
We recommend closely monitoring your project’s budget to ensure that work aligns with available funds. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to [email protected]  
Federal Health Agency Guidance - (National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)) Federal health agencies have not issued any overarching guidance regarding Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs), proposals, or awarded grants.  At this time, the guidance below was developed using various news articles and credible sources.
  • NOFOs
    • No new NOFOs have been posted since 1/22/2025, but existing opportunities have submission dates set well into the future. Exercise discretion when pursuing these opportunities, as submission dates may change, or the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) could be withdrawn and revised.
  • Communications
    • There will be a delay in communications from NIH due to a mandate from HHS imposing a temporary halt on public communications from federal health agencies, including the CDC, the FDA, and the NIH. These communications extend to issuance of documents, guidance or notices, as they must receive approval from a political appointee before being released. This freeze will remain in effect until February 1, 2025, with exceptions made only for critical health and safety information.
  • Pending Proposals
    • Awards will be postponed.
  • Existing Awards
    • Work can continue if obligated funds are available.
    • Travel is immediately suspended for federal health agency employees and if an already awarded research grant includes travel.  If you have already made travel plans, please suspend them until further notice.
  • Delays in Additional Funding
    • Additional funds, including continuations and supplements, will be postponed.
  • Award Performance
    • Performance should continue as long as funding is available unless a stop-work order has been issued.
      1. Stop-work orders are generally limited to projects funded through contracts or cooperative agreements.
      2. If a stop-work order is issued, it will be sent to Research Operations ORSPA via the [email protected] mailbox. It will then be forwarded to the [email protected] mailbox and managed by Contracting Services. A team member will collaborate with the PI, unit staff, and Research Operations – ORSPA Post-Award staff to ensure compliance with the stop-work order.
      3. Important Reminder: If a PI or RA receives a stop-work order notice directly, please forward it immediately to [email protected] for appropriate handling.
  • Awards
    • Any NIH Notice of Award received by Arizona State University (ASU) is considered awarded and funds are obligated. ASU will adhere to its standard processes to establish the grant account and initiate the project.
  • Review panels
    • All peer review panel meetings have been canceled.
 
  • Subrecipients
    • ASU Research Operations will notify current subrecipients about the recent guidance, which will impact their subaward.  This notification will include the following:
At-Risk
  • Any at-risk authorizations issued in advance of a subaward to initiate work on a project, as well as any extensions of existing at-risk authorizations, are hereby null and void.
Existing Funds:
  • Work on your project may continue as long as obligated funds are available.
Delays in Additional Funding:
  • Additional funding actions, including continuations and supplements, will be postponed.
Travel
  • Travel is immediately suspended for federal health agency employees and if an already awarded research grants includes travel. If you have already made travel plans, please suspend them until further notice.
Stop-Work Orders:
  • If a stop-work order is issued by a sponsor, it will apply to projects funded through contracts or cooperative agreements.
  • Should a stop-work order be issued for your project, you will be notified promptly. If you receive a stop-work order directly, please forward it to [your institution's contact email] immediately for review and coordination, and cc [email protected].
We recommend closely monitoring your project’s budget to ensure that work aligns with available funds. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to [email protected]
USDA has implemented an immediate suspension of all USDA actions related to grants, including Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grants. Questions (FAQs) below:
  1. Does the moratorium include no-cost extensions or no-cost modifications on existing awards?
  2. USDA Answer: No, it does not apply to no-cost extension or no-cost modifications. This may include budget revisions that do not obligated additional funds, no-cost extensions of time, changes in key staff, and other changes that do not result in any additional expenditure of funds (regardless of their source).
  3. ASU Guidance: If you have not yet submitted your no-cost extension request and are eligible to do so, please submit it at your earliest convenience.
  4. Can existing work continue under active awards?
  5. USDA Answer: Yes, until such time that you receive guidance in the future that specific transactions must be modified or terminated.
  6. ASU Guidance: Please limit your transactions to those that are critical to the project and exercise caution in all decisions.
  7. Can payments or claims be processed under awards?
  8. USDA Answer: At this time, yes, payments or claims may continue to be processed under existing awards, provided that they are not funded using Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) or Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding sources. Additional guidance related to IIJA and IRA funds will be provided by USDA when available.
  9. ASU Guidance: Please ensure timely submission of your expenses so that costs can be invoiced promptly
No overall guidance has been provided yet, but it may be in the process of being distributed, either generally or on a project-by-project basis. We are actively monitoring for updates and will provide further information as it becomes available.
ASU has been advised that, until further notice, there will be no new USAID or DOS funding obligations, and existing foreign assistance awards are under review for potential stop-work orders. Here’s what this means for projects pending or already awarded by USAID or DOS:
  1. Future Proposals
    • No new funding opportunities will be published by USAID or DOS for the time being.
  2. Pending Proposals
    • Awards will be postponed.
  3. Existing Awards
    • Work can continue as long as obligated funds are available and a stop-work order has not been received for your specific award.
    • USAID is taking prompt action to comply with the President’s Executive Order on Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing. All DEIA activities under all contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and other awards, including subcontracts and subawards, and programs domestic and abroad, are to cease immediately, with awards to be modified or terminated in accordance with applicable award terms and conditions.
  4. Delays in Additional Funding
    • Additional funds, including continuations and supplements, will be postponed.
  5. Award Performance
    • Performance should continue as long as funding is available unless a stop-work order has been issued.
      1. Stop-work orders, aka Halt Orders, are typically limited to projects funded through contracts or cooperative agreements, however other funding mechanisms may be impacted.
      2. If a stop-work order is issued, it will be sent to Research Operations ORSPA via the [email protected] mailbox. It will then be forwarded to the [email protected] mailbox and managed by Contracting Services. A team member will collaborate with the PI, unit staff, and Research Operations – ORSPA Post-Award staff to ensure compliance with the stop-work order.
      3. Important Reminder: If a PI or RA receives a stop-work order notice directly, please forward it immediately to [email protected] for appropriate handling.
  6. Awards & Amendments/Modifications to Awards Under Negotiation
    • All awards currently under negotiation will be halted until further notice.
  7. Subrecipients
    • ASU Research Operations will notify current subrecipients under USAID or DOS funding about the recent guidance, which will impact their subaward.  This notification will include the following:
At-Risk
  • Any at-risk authorizations issued in advance of a subaward to initiate work on a project, as well as any extensions of existing at-risk authorizations, are hereby null and void.
Existing Funds:
  • Work on your project may continue as long as obligated funds are available.
Delays in Additional Funding:
  • Additional funding actions, including continuations and supplements, will be postponed.
Stop-Work Orders:
  • If a stop-work order is issued by the federal agency, it will apply to projects funded through contracts or cooperative agreements.
  • Should a stop-work order be issued for your project, you will be notified promptly. If you receive a stop-work order directly, please forward it to [your institution's contact email] immediately for review and coordination, and cc [email protected].
Awards Under Negotiation:
  • Any pending awards under negotiation will be paused until further notice.
We recommend closely monitoring your project’s budget to ensure that work aligns with available funds. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to [email protected]
Notice of Implementation: Executive Order 14171 Rescission of Executive Order 14035 and Immediate Suspension of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Activities The Trump administration, which began its term on January 20, 2025, has introduced a series of Executive Orders since taking office. Among these is Executive Order 14171, which rescinds Executive Order 14035, titled "Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce" (White House News).  To implement the E.O., many federal agencies have sent out notices for the immediate cease and desist on all DEIA activities required under an awarded federally funded project.  This work may include but is not limited to DEIA plan requirement, training reporting, staffing considerations and any other direct or indirect award activities. If your project includes DEIA components, these activities must stop immediately, and no further charges should be applied to the award for such purposes. Funds previously allocated for DEI activities must remain unspent and cannot be reallocated to other budget categories. These agencies ASU has received official notifications from are:
  • Department of Energy (DOE)
  • Federal Health Agencies (All HHS Agencies and Offices)
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
  • United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
  • United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
  References: Executive Order 14171”Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity”[Link]

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