Originally published through the Research Radar e-newsletter
on February 12, 2025.
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Letter from the VPR
Dear Colleagues,
I remember the first big federal grant I was awarded. I was in my third year at WSU, and it was the one I had been waiting for—the grant that would allow me to move forward with the implementation of my core research. I wasn’t taught how to write a grant budget in graduate school, so everything about this process was new to me. This grant had subcontractors, multiple co-investigators, and a lot of moving parts. When I received the first draft budget back from my college’s grant administrator, I was confused by the indirect cost rate application. What was F&A? And why was it part of my grant? What I learned then, and what has stuck with me, is that these indirect costs are what make all research possible—whether in labs, in the field, in studios, on farms, or in clinics.
Research universities need up-to-date facilities, infrastructure, equipment, and administrative support to allow faculty, students, and staff to engage in externally sponsored research. At WSU, this infrastructure includes everything from the construction and maintenance of sophisticated labs for cutting-edge research, to animal housing and safety, scientific journal subscription, hazardous waste disposal, and compliance with countless federal regulations. The costs to build, maintain, and manage these resources are known as facilities and administration costs, or F&A. These costs are paid by the university every day, and through sponsored projects, federal and non-federal sponsors commit to share these costs by providing reimbursement to the university. However, these reimbursements never fully cover the costs of conducting research, much of that is borne by the university.
On Friday, February 8, just after 3 p.m. PST, my Teams chat and email inbox started buzzing, and I knew it was going to be a long weekend. And it was. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) released a new guide notice setting a standard indirect rate of 15% for all NIH grants, replacing the long-standing practice of negotiating separate rates for each institution. WSU’s current negotiated indirect cost rate is 53% for on-campus research and 26% for off-campus research. This change would be devastating for WSU and all public land grant universities. Annualized, this would mean a nearly $5 million loss to our budget. Beyond the immediate financial impact, it would stifle groundbreaking research being conducted across colleges and campuses, particularly in health sciences, biomedical research, veterinary medicine, and other critical fields.
It’s hard not to feel discouraged and disheartened in moments like these. But what I witnessed and participated in this past weekend was nothing short of inspiring. At WSU, teams from Sponsored Programs Services, the Budget Office, the Office of Research, the Office of the Attorney General, as well as deans, directors, and principal investigators across multiple colleges and campuses, came together to document the innovative, lifesaving, impactful work we do every day. This collective effort was part of a larger lawsuit that Washington state, along with other states, filed on Monday, February 10, to challenge the retroactive application of this directive and protect already negotiated and allocated funds for critical research infrastructure. By the end of the day on Monday, a federal judge in Boston issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against this directive. Although this seems like a victory, it is only a small step towards ensuring that critical federal support continues for land grant institutions, which were created specifically to provide access and opportunity for all and champion research for the betterment of society.
When I stepped into this role, I never imagined I’d be part of two federal lawsuits within my first three weeks. But as I reflect on the incredible teamwork and determination I’ve witnessed, I am reminded that research institutions like WSU, with their dedicated staff and researchers, will continue to fight for what’s right to continue advancing science and innovation for the betterment of all our communities.
Kim Christen
Vice President for Research
Research Happens Every Day
Research Happens Every Day recognizes the fact that faculty make contributions to the WSU research enterprise every day of the year. In support of this crucial research and creative activity, the Office of Research Advancement and Partnerships will be hosting events celebrating diverse research and creative contributions as well as providing workshops, information sessions, and other training opportunities year-round.
This Black History Month, the Office of Research invites you to a dynamic panel discussion from 10-11 a.m., on Tuesday, February 25, celebrating the rich contributions of Black scholars. Join us virtually for an engaging conversation as we explore the groundbreaking research happening at WSU, highlighting the voices and work of Black faculty members. This session will host an open dialogue on the relevance of Black history research today and its role in challenging conventional narratives, advocating for social justice, and building a more inclusive future. Panelists will share insights into their innovative work, offering perspectives on how research can empower communities, resist systemic inequalities, and inspire transformative change. Let’s come together to honor and build on the legacy of Black scholarship at WSU. RSVP online to attend this this insightful virtual event.
Upcoming Events
Information Session: Using SciENcv
On Tuesday, February 25, at 11 a.m., join the Office of Research Advancement and Partnerships to learn how to use the SciENcv portal to create NSF/NIH-compliant Biosketches and Current & Pending Support documents. RSVP online.
Office Hours with the Office of Research Advancement and Partnerships
On alternating Mondays and Thursdays at noon, come to the Office of Research conference room, Lighty 280, for some dedicated proposal writing time in a quiet space. Have questions for our development specialists? Come in-person or visit virtually by clicking the Zoom link on our website.
Engaged! A Conversation on Enabling Community Engaged Research at WSU
Interested in community engaged research (CER) to help address societal problems? Have ideas on how WSU can foster CER? Join the Center for Environmental Research, Education and Outreach (CEREO) and an invited panel from 8:40 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., on Tuesday, March 4, in PACCAR 202 to learn about and discuss current efforts and what still needs to be done to fully support and enable CER that contributes to society’s efforts to tackle complex issues in a changing world. Register online!
Calls for Proposals
INSPIRE! CERSG “Pullman in Focus” NOI Due March 1
Funding through the INSPIRE! Community Engaged Research Seed Grant “Pullman in Focus” program is intended to support WSU Pullman faculty who have established communication with a local Pullman-area community for intended community-engaged research. For more information and to submit the required Notice of Intent, visit the website.
INSPIRE! CERSG-Tier 3 NOI Due March 15
Funding through the INSPIRE! Community Engaged Research (CER) Seed Grant-Tier 3 program is intended to support WSU Pullman faculty who have established CER programs and community relationships and need assistance in moving their research agenda to a stage for external funding applications. For more information and to submit the required Notice of Intent, visit the website.
Updates on National Endowment for the Arts FY2026 Grant Opportunities
The National Endowment for the Arts is updating its FY2026 grant guidelines, with deadlines in March and July 2025. These changes impact organizations applying in the Grants for Arts Projects or Challenge America categories. The Challenge America opportunity is canceled for FY 2026. The National Endowment for the Arts is revising the FY 2026 Grants for Arts Projects guidelines and are available on arts.gov/grants. A press release from the National Endowment for the Arts provides additional information and grant details.
For Your Information
Changes to Federal Funding
In recent weeks, there have been significant and rapid changes to the legal and procedural landscape affecting researchers and the federal agencies that fund much of WSU’s research. To keep our WSU community informed, we have created a dedicated web page with agency-specific updates and information.