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Frequently Asked Questions About the Impact of the Federal Government Changes on Research

Announcement

The Office for Research has received many questions from faculty, research staff, and research leaders regarding potential changes to federal government priorities and policies with the new administration. As a key collaborator and partner in the federal research enterprise, here is some information about what is known, what the OfR is working to understand better, and how we move forward together. 

Researchers, if you have questions about your existing grants, please get in touch with your assigned grant specialist. Rest assured, the Office for Research Team is working tirelessly to ensure we provide you with complete, correct, and accurate information as it becomes available. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Should I continue working on my federal grant applications?
    Yes, you should continue working on your federal grant applications until more information is known. We strongly recommend that you continuously monitor the funding opportunities on the federal sponsor’s websites to make sure the funding announcement you’re interested in has not be removed or the deadline date has not changed.
     
  • Who should I contact if I have questions about changes at the federal level?
    You should contact your assigned grant specialist found here.
     
  • What is a Stop Work Order?
    A Stop Work Order is a notice sent by the federal government to a federally funded entity, notifying the entity to temporarily or permanently stop work on a grant.

    Many federal agencies include clauses in their sponsored award agreements that allow them to stop work under certain conditions.

     
  • What should I do if I receive a Stop Work Order?
    Immediately send the stop work order to federal-tracking@rutgers.edu and contact your grant specialist for guidance. Do not take any additional action until you hear from your grant specialist. You may also include your dean, research dean or vice chancellor of research on the e-mail.
     
  • Should I stop my work immediately if I receive a stop work order?
    Only stop work if you’re advised to do so by your grant specialist.
     
  • Should I stop work on my sponsored award as a result of the January 27, 2025 directive from the Office of Management and Budget to the federal departments and agencies?
    No, you SHOULD NOT stop working on your federal sponsored award(s). You should continue to work on your sponsored award(s) unless you are informed by your grant specialist or through a universitywide notification.
     
  • Is Rutgers able to draw down federal funds to support sponsored award expenditures?
    Federal funding for sponsored awards is typically not paid to Rutgers in advance of costs being incurred. Direct costs must be incurred, covered by the University and then invoiced to the federal government along with the corresponding indirect costs and drawn down via a federal payment site by the Office for Research. The funds are then applied to the sponsored awards. Although universities have faced occasional access issues with the payment’s sites, Rutgers's post-award office has consistently and successfully managed to draw down funds. At this time there are no restrictions in place preventing Rutgers from drawing down as needed, although this is subject to change. Check this site periodically for updates.
     
  • Can a Rutgers principal investigator reach out to their assigned federal agency program officer/program manager?
    All decisions regarding the future of a grant will be evaluated based on the latest guidance from the federal agency to the university. You should continue to send any notices you receive from federal agencies to federal-tracking@rutgers.edu. You may reach out to your program officer/program manager, but please note that the information you receive from them may not be up-to-date and may not reflect the official guidance received by the university. Please forward any responses to federal-tracking@rutgers.edu and copy your assigned grant specialist.
     
  • Should I continue to process no cost extensions?
    Yes, you should continue to proceed with submitting no cost extension requests when applicable.
     
  • Some agencies may be sorting through grants containing keywords. What should I do if I have some of those keywords in my proposal?
    We strongly encourage you to include details necessary to satisfy the sponsor’s announcement.