Common concerns are answered below with general information and guidance on what to do, organized by topic:
- Proposals
- Awards (including Stop Work Orders and Terminations)
- External Resources
For more information about direct research costs vs. indirect (F&A) costs, please visit The Costs of Research.
Proposals
- Federal agency submission portals are operational and we will continue to facilitate proposal submissions as usual.
- Proposal review timelines at sponsoring agencies may be extended during the transition period.
- Some federal agencies have cancelled posted requests for proposals (RFPs) etc. pending program reviews.
- WSU and other universities are continuing to submit proposals to federal agencies using our negotiated indirect cost rate.
Proposals: What To Do
- There may be changes to proposal deadlines. It is recommended that you confirm deadlines for proposals currently under development.
- Confirm that any funding announcements on your radar have not been revised or postponed. Consider signing up for alerts from the sponsoring agency, if available.
- Continue to submit proposals per agency deadlines wherever possible.
Awards
- Some agencies have issued stop work orders on grant and contract activities implicated by recent executive orders, particularly those related to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA). In some cases these orders have been modified or rescinded in light of federal court orders. It is important to review the Agency Specific Information section below and related agency communications to determine if your grant-funded activities will be impacted.
- The terms and conditions of executed award remain enforceable, but the ability to invoice and receive reimbursement currently varies. Where possible, work under executed awards should proceed business as usual. Formal changes to awards will come through an amendment from the agency for review and execution via the OR Support and Operations team.
- PIs must comply with formal stop work orders (see below for further guidance).
- Changes to Research Compliance requirements for current awards are anticipated. These may be implemented at the sponsor level or via an amendment on a project-by-project basis. Swift compliance with any new requirements is important, and failure could jeopardize funding. If you are unsure please reach out to the OR Support and Operations team: orso@wsu.edu.
- Changes to award reporting requirements are also anticipated. As with compliance changes, these may be implemented at the sponsor level or via an amendment on a project-by-project basis. Timely compliance with any new requirements is important, and failure to do so could jeopardize funding.
- 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 de-funded, 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.
Awards: What to Do
- Review your grant agreement: Ensure you understand the terms, especially clauses related to funding availability and reimbursement.
- Closely monitor budget obligations to avoid overspending award accounts while awaiting anticipated future funding.
- Communicate with your grant officer: Stay in contact with your program or grant officer to confirm that there are no changes affecting your award.
- Reports and deliverables: Continue to submit required reports and deliverables to your sponsoring agency on time. Prioritize the submission of any materials that may be past due.
- Monitor policy updates: Keep an eye on announcements from the agency overseeing your grant for any updates on funding or compliance updates.
- Review information on your granting agency in the Agency Specific Information section below. You may need to review your project. You should be prepared to adapt or make modifications in consultation your program officer.
- If you receive communication directly from a federal sponsor regarding the status of your award, your first step should be to reach out to your research administrator and to the OR Support and Operations team (orso@wsu.edu).
- Contact the Support and Operations team if you have questions about compliance with new guidelines or requirements.
Awards: Stop Work Orders
Awardees must comply with official stop work orders. The Office of Research and Sponsored Program Services has provided additional guidance:
- For grants with an official work stop order, such as USAID grants, WSU cannot post any expenses to those grants after the work stop date.
- WSU is unable to request reimbursement for work-stop grants after work stop date.
- Units should cease related expenses.
- Any unavoidable expenses must be transferred to a departmental account with a positive balance. Units should NOT create deficits.
Awards: Terminations
If you receive notice that your grant has been officially terminated by the agency:
- Ensure that the Support and Operations team has been notified (orso@wsu.edu) and has all documentation.
- Work with your grant administrator in your unit to follow close out procedures.
- If you have employees being paid on the grant, work with your unit to move them to another account with a positive balance. Units are responsible for these costs.
- If you have questions about employment contracts, please work with your HRS representative.
External Resources
The following resources provide broader context for the ongoing shifts in federal policy and potential impacts on the university research environment.