Federal Funding Updates

January 29, 2025

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has issued M-25-14 which fully rescinds rescinded memo M-25-13 referenced in the 1/28/25 update. 

Council on Government Relations maintains a transition resource page.

January 28, 2025

On Monday 1/27/25, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memo M-25-13 pausing the obligation or disbursement of federal financial assistance that may be implicated by executive orders. It has since been delayed to Monday 2/3/25 due to court order. Memo and FAQ.

The University of Arizona will provide additional information as it becomes available.

Key Updates and Guidance as of January 27, 2025

While University of Arizona leaders continue to monitor the shifting landscape and regulations with the change in the federal administration and Congress, the Office of Research, Innovation & Impact has prepared the following resources and recommendations.

We will provide updates to the research community as more information and resources become available.

Federal Communications and Funding

• Federal health agencies have temporarily paused external communications through February 1, 2025, as new priorities are established.
• NIH grant application reviews are currently on hold, which may affect the funding process.
• There is a pause to review aid (e.g., Dept of State, USAID) allocations for 90-days. This includes new obligations and disbursements of development assistance funds.
• There is a temporary suspension of disbursement of funds for existing awards related to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for up to 90 days.
• The Office of Science is immediately ending the requirement for Promoting Inclusive and Equitable Research (PIER) plans on any proposals submitted to the office; open solicitations have been or will be amended to remove the PIER plan.

Research and Grants Guidance

• Continue to submit proposals as federal agency submission systems remain operational.
• Reconfirm proposal deadlines and funding announcement status, as there may be changes or revisions.
• For active awards, continue with business as usual unless notified otherwise.
• Monitor obligated budget balances closely to avoid deficits while awaiting future obligations.
• Prioritize the submission of any overdue technical reports or deliverables.

Next Steps for Our Research Community

• Stay informed: We will provide regular updates through official university channels. If you are applying for an upcoming deadline, double check with the sponsor and the solicitation to ensure there have been no changes to either the date or the solicitation.
• Maintain focus: Continue your important work in education, research and service. Our commitment to our students, our community and our colleagues is central to our ethos.
• Seek clarification: If you have questions about specific projects or grants, contact the appropriate university office (see resources below) or your program officer.
• Report impacts: Please inform us of any delays or impacts on your work (see specific contacts below).
• Broaden your portfolio: While we are monitoring the federal landscape, it is important to seek alternative funding sources from Foundations and non-federal sponsors. U of A provides PIVOT and GrantForward.

Contacts

• Please contact your departmental or college research administrator with pre/post-award questions. Departmental and college-based research administrators will coordinate and connect with appropriate central offices.
• If there is a change to your award terms, funding or period of performance, the University of Arizona will receive an amendment. If you receive correspondence regarding a change, please immediately forward to sponsor@arizona.edu.
• If you need assistance managing research compliance matters, please contact: 
  • Research Security & Export Control - ResearchSecurity@arizona.edu
  • COI - COI@arizona.edu
  • Human Research & IRB - vpr-irb@arizona.edu
  • Animal Research & IACUC - orcr-iacuc@arizona.edu.
• For support in developing research proposals across the federal sponsors, digesting new solicitations or discussing research strategy, please contact Research Development at resdev@arizona.edu. RDS can also support non-federal proposals and work with the UA Foundation Relations team in support of broadening your portfolio.

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