Office for Research and Innovation

 

2025 Federal Transition and University Guidance

Overview

On January 20, 2025, the new presidential administration issued a series of Executive Orders that reflect shifts in federal priorities. These changes may affect existing sponsored research projects as well as proposals under review or pending funding decisions.

Stony Brook University's Office for Research and Innovation will use this page to share important updates and resources related to Executive Orders and other federal actions that may influence federally funded research. This page will be updated regularly to provide the latest guidance on proposal submissions, award management, and compliance requirements.

Researchers are encouraged to check back frequently for new information and to share any relevant updates or notices they receive from federal sponsors that may not yet be reflected here.

Questions?

Reach out if you have a question about the recent Executive Orders or agency announcements and how they might impact your proposals or awards.

Contact Us Here

Submissions Process

  • Proposal submissions will continue as long as federal submission systems remain operational.
  • Proposal review timelines may be extended depending on the sponsor.

Key Actions for Investigators

  • Confirm proposal deadlines for submissions currently under development.
  • Verify funding announcements haven't been canceled, postponed, or revised.
  • Anticipate potential removal of DEIA-related language in solicitations.
  • Sign up for sponsor alerts to stay informed of updates.
  • Submit proposals using SBU's federally negotiated F&A rate, e.g., 59.5% for NIH and DOE.
What You Need to Know
  • We will continue to facilitate submissions through Grants.gov, Research.gov, or other agency portals.
  • Be proactive about checking deadlines and webinar cancellations.
  • Some RFPs may be withdrawn pending federal program review.

Terms and Amendments

  • Terms and conditions of active awards remain in effect.
  • Changes will come via official amendments processed by OSP.
  • Award operations (e.g., invoicing) should continue unless instructed otherwise by the sponsor.

Communications

  • Share any sponsor communications or responses with OSP to ensure consistency and proper institutional tracking.
  • Principal Investigators (PIs) may feel the need to reach out directly to sponsors, especially given the uncertainty surrounding the Executive Orders. Our institution encourages a coordinated approach to ensure that all communications align with institutional guidance and the evolving sponsor policies. To support this, we recommend that PIs inform the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) before initiating contact with sponsors about the Executive Orders. This will allow us to provide accurate context, ensure consistency, and track any responses. If PIs do contact sponsors independently, we kindly request that all replies and relevant communications be shared with OSP. This will enable us to monitor sponsor directives, share relevant information with other faculty who may be addressing similar issues, and ensure that potential concerns are addressed consistently across the institution.
What You Need to Do
  • Review award documents and agency notices for any funding-related clauses.
  • Monitor budget obligations. Principal Investigators are reminded that all expenditures on sponsored projects must be reasonable, allocable, and necessary to meet current project needs in direct support of the approved scope of work. Expenditures should reflect immediate use in carrying out project objectives.
  • Prepayments or advance spending are not permitted under any circumstances—even if recommended or suggested by a funding agency representative.
  • Submit all required technical and financial reports on time.
  • Stay in contact with grant officers to remain updated on evolving requirements.

Understanding Notices

  • Stop Work Order: Temporarily or permanently halts activities on a grant.
  • Termination Notice: Ends the agreement effective immediately.
  • These differ from award amendments related to Executive Orders (e.g., DEIA activities only).

Institutional Response

  • OSP, OGM, PI, and others must coordinate a review of impacted personnel and activities.
  • Appeals to terminations may be possible and are time sensitive.
  • Contact OSP if planning to appeal.
Immediate Steps
  • Forward all sponsor correspondence to OSP@stonybrook.edu immediately.
  • Review award and budget status to plan for potential interruptions.
  • Suspend related procurement or travel expenditures unless fully approved and funded.
  • Consult with OSP or OGM about how to proceed with affected work.

Compliance - Anticipated Changes

Expect changes to:

  • Research compliance requirements (e.g., human subjects, animal subject). Reach out to the Office of Research Compliance (ORC) for clarification.
  • Award reporting expectations

Proposals

Q: Can I still submit my proposal to a federal agency?

A: Yes. As long as submission portals like Grants.gov and Research.gov remain operational, SBU continues to support proposal submissions.

Q: How can I confirm if a funding opportunity is still valid?

A: Check the agency website for alerts, revised RFPs, or cancellation notices. Sign up for sponsor newsletters or alerts.

Q: Should I continue submitting proposals with DEIA content?

A: Consider carefully reviewing the solicitation for changes. Some agencies may remove or revise DEIA language in response to executive actions.

Awards

Q: Are the terms of my existing federal award still valid?

A: Yes. All awarded agreements remain in effect unless formally amended by the sponsor.

Q: Should I continue spending on my project?

A: Yes, but monitor budgets closely and communicate with  OSP or OGM about any new developments.

Q: Who do I notify if I receive an amendment or communication from a sponsor?

A: Please send all sponsor correspondence to OSP@stonybrook.edu.

Terminations and Stop-Work Orders

Q: What should I do if I receive a stop work or termination notice?

A: Forward the notice to OSP@stonybrook.edu immediately. Do not take any action until OSP provides guidance.

Q: Can I appeal a termination notice?

A: Possibly. Appeals are time-sensitive. Contact OSP as soon as possible.

Q: Do these notices apply to all parts of the project?

A: Not always. Review the notice carefully; some apply only to specific DEIA-related activities.

Compliance

Q: What types of compliance changes are expected?

A: Agencies may revise reporting deadlines, remove DEIA-related components, or require new assurances. Stay tuned to OSP updates.

Q: Who can help me navigate compliance changes as it pertains to human or animal subject research?

A: Contact the Office of Research Compliance at SBU for assistance.

Read the full list of Presidential Executive Orders from the White House.

The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) has posted a summary of the Executive Orders.

COGR has also provided a resource page dedicated to the 2025 Administration Transition.

  • Implementation of New Initiatives and Policies: This page serves as a central location where you can learn more about the status of changes impacting NIH grants process and plans for implementing new initiatives and policies.
  • On Monday, February 10, three separate lawsuits were filed in the US District Court in Boston challenging the NIH’s February 7 notice regarding a cap of a 15% indirect cost rate. On April 4, the court granted a nationwide permanent injunction preventing NIH’s implementation of the 15 percent F&A cost rate across the United States, and shortly thereafter, the Trump Administration filed an appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. As a result, the rate cut is currently on hold. This means that Stony Brook University will continue to use our federally negotiated rates.

  • On March 27, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a dramatic restructuring in accordance with President Trump's Executive Order, “Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Workforce Optimization Initiative.” See Fact Sheet: HHS’ Transformation to Make America Healthy Again

  • PF 2025-22 Adjusting Department of Energy Grant Policy for Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) The Department of Energy announced a new policy for IHES capping "financial support of “indirect costs” of DOE research funding to 15%." On April 16, 2025, a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) was issued in the case of Association of American Universities v. Dept. of Energy .  The TRO enjoins the Department of Energy (DOE) from “implementing, instituting, maintaining, or giving effect” to its new policy limiting financial support of indirect costs to 15%, as well as from making any other modifications to negotiated indirect cost rates.  As a result, the rate cut is currently on hold. This means that Stony Brook University will continue to use our federally negotiated rates.
  • Executive Order Update to PIER Plan Requirement The Office of Science is immediately ending the requirement for Promoting Inclusive and Equitable Research (PIER) Plans in any proposal submitted to the Office of Science.

  • Notice of Court Order - Washington v. Trump - 03.20.2025 - Please review the attached Notice of Court Order and attached Court Order Clarifying Scope of Preliminary Injunction in Washington v. Trump. Court Orders Clarifying Scope - 03.20.2025

  • Updates on NSF Priorities This page provides updated guidance on the priorities of the U.S. National Science Foundation.  The page includes FAQs and a form to submit your questions.
  • NSF Implementation of Recent Executive Orders: This page provides information regarding recent executive orders and their impact on the U.S. National Science Foundation community.
  • June 20, 2025: NSF is temporarily pausing implementation of the NSF Policy Notice: Implementation of Standard 15% Indirect Cost Rate, NSF 25-034, until the District Court for the District of Massachusetts issues a decision.

 Federally Funded Research by the Numbers

$325 Million

Total Research Expenditures

 

1,243 Awards

Funded by Federal Agencies

 

700+ Principal Investigators (PIs)

Across Stony Brook

 

Projected $27.0 Million Loss if Federal Indirect Cost Rate Is Capped at 15% Across All Agencies

Bar chart showing annual projected loss by agency in millions of dollars, with DHHS at 17.5 M , N S F a t 17.5M,NSFat4.4M, DOE at 2.2 M , D O D a t 2.2M,DODat1.9M, and Others at $1.0M. Transcribed Text: Annual Projected Loss by Agency In Millions of Dollars Pie chart showing federal expenditures for FY 2023-2024 with DHHS at 51.2%, NSF at 20.6%, DOE at 10.7%, DOD at 7.6%, and Others at 9.9%. Transcribed Text: Share of Federal Expenditures by Agency Others 9.9% DOD 7.6% DOE 10.7% NSF 20.6% DHHS 51.2% FY 2023-2024

Current Impact of Terminations and Stop Work Orders

Pie chart showing 10.5 m i l l i o n i n t e r m i n a t e d f u n d i n g : D O E 10.5millioninterminatedfunding:DOE5.42M, DHHS 3.71 M , N S F 3.71M,NSF0.67M, SSA 0.37 M , O t h e r s 0.37M,Others0.25M. Transcribed Text: 10.5 M i l l i o n i n T e r m i n a t e d F u n d i n g ∗ S S A 10.5MillioninTerminatedFunding∗SSA0.37M Others 0.25 M N S F 0.25MNSF0.67M DHHS 3.71 M D O E 3.71MDOE5.42M *Last Updated May 9, 2025.