Breaking Developments in Federal Funding & Policy

What We Know (So Far) and Resources to Help You Navigate

A recent series of Presidential Executive Orders were signed, bringing potential implications for those of us who live within the federal grant funding space. While we don’t have definitive answers to many of the questions that you’re likely asking yourselves, we did want to share some resources that may help you in finding the contours of your answers.

Note: The information provided herein is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily represent the views, opinions, or endorsement of The Rucks Group. We recognize that shifts like these can feel overwhelming, and we remain committed to sharing insights as more clarity emerges.

• October 09, 2024: While we have not yet found a working definition of DEIA from the current the administration, a report published in October 2024 by the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation may provide some insights.
• January 28, 2025: The American Association of Community Colleges published a succinct summary of the Presidential Executive Orders and their potential implications for grant recipients.
• January 28, 2025: The Department of Energy announce that its Office of Science has eliminated the requirement for Promoting Inclusive and Equitable Research (PIER) Plans in all proposal submission.
• February 07, 2025: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has implemented a standardized indirect cost rate of 15% or all NIH grants, replacing previously negotiated rates.
• February 21, 2025: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has published guidance on implementing these executive orders and also allows individuals to ask questions directly to NSF.
• February 27, 2025: CITI Program is reviewing its content in response to recent U.S. Presidential Executive Orders, identifying a limited number of modules and webinars that may be affected, and advising institutions to assess their training materials accordingly.
• March 01, 2025: The U.S. Department of Education released a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document to clarify its February 14 Dear Colleague Letter (DCL), which directed educational institutions receiving federal funds to discontinue the use of race preferences and stereotypes in areas such as admissions, hiring, promotions, scholarships, and disciplinary actions. The FAQs address topics including the legality of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs under recent Supreme Court rulings, the permissibility of essay prompts discussing race in admissions, and the Department's approach to investigating covert discrimination and enforcing compliance with Title VI.
• March 03, 2025: The Association of Public Land-Grant Universities provides a detailed analysis of the executive orders, focusing on those with unique impacts on higher education institutions.
• March 05, 2025: Judge Angel Kelley issued a nationwide preliminary injunction blocking the NIH's February 7 cap on facilities and administration (F&A) cost reimbursements for research grants. This replaces a prior temporary restraining order issued on February 11.
• March 05, 2025: The Department of Defense issued Class Deviation 2025-O0003, directing contracting officers to remove and replace certain Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) provisions related to Equal Employment Opportunity, following recent executive orders. It also mandates the removal of the term "gender" in compliance with new federal policies on merit-based opportunity and biological definitions. (03/05/2025)
• The 2025 Administration Transition Information & Resources page by the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) serves as a comprehensive repository for research institutions, offering up-to-date information on federal agency communications, directives, and other pertinent materials related to the 2025 administrative changes. Key resources include an executive order tracker, a transition impact survey, a a form to share your story about the impacts of the executive orders on your institution.

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In addition to federal updates, we will also be tracking state-level resources and developments to help project teams understand how their peers are adapting to these changes. By monitoring trends across states, we aim to provide insights that can inform decision-making, highlight effective strategies, and support teams in navigating this evolving funding landscape. Stay tuned as we continue to compile and share these resources.

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Arizona

• Arizona State University leadership has been keeping the following public blog post updated that describes the impact to federal funding to help guide faculty and staff navigate the changes.

Florida

• Florida International University offer a Q&A for Complying with Federal Agencies and summarizes the types of updates in guidance by each agency/department.
• Florida State University provides a guide on 'What to Do" based on project status.

Georgia

• The Federal Funding and Regulatory Updates page by Emory University's Office of the Senior Vice President for Research (SVPR) offers the Emory research community timely information on federal fiscal policies and regulatory changes affecting research funding and administration. Resources include a quick start guide for using Grant Forward (a tool for identifying alternative funding sources).

Iowa

• Iowa State University published it Guidance for Federally Funded Research Activities to provide tailored guidance to principal investigators, addressing questions regarding grants and proposals that are or could be impact by changes in federal priorities.

Maryland

• George Washington University provides an analysis of federal executive orders based on the topics they address, including antisemitism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), federal financial assistance, gender identity, Title IX, immigration, and research activities. The institution also offers key guidance to principal investigators (PIs) as they navigate emerging regulatory expectations.

Massachusetts

• Boston College provides an initial analysis of recent executive orders issued in January 2025 by the Trump administration, examining their potential impacts on corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, environmental measures, and corporate philanthropy.
• Boston University offers information and resources to help researchers navigate changes in federal research funding and policies during the 2025 administration transition.

New Hampshire

• Dartmouth College's Office of Sponsored research has built page dedicate to Tracking Federal Changes 2025 to provide up-to-date information on executive actions and policy changes affecting federally-funded research.

New York

• The Research Foundation at The City University of New York provides resources and guidance to the CUNY community on navigating changes in federal grant funding due to recent executive orders including a protocol for review of federal funding changes.

Pennsylvania

• Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) offers tailored guidance for CMU investigators which provide specific instructions for researchers at different stages.
• Drexel University's Office of Research & Innovation provides the university's research community with timely information on recent executive orders and federal directives. Most notably, the page offers a detailed FAQ section addressing common concerns, operational guidance for specific research areas, and a centralized communication hub.

Texas

• The University of Texas at Dallas provides guidance for researchers on how to manage proposals and ongoing projects amid recent shifts in federal funding priorities.

Virginia

• George Mason University shares an update to its response to recent executive orders, which includes the identification of six key focus areas that are perceived as having a high likelihood of being funded.

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