Federal Research Updates:
February 8, 2025 - Message to College Dean's from EVP and Provost Haggerty
Dear Deans,
I know that many of you are watching the news from last night that NIH has announced a cut to their F&A rate for all universities to a maximum of 15%. As you know, our F&A rate is 50%; most other universities’ F&A rate is higher. Senior LSU leadership is aware and are in communication with key contacts and leadership in DC about the consequences to LSU and to Louisiana. Briefly, the total cost, if implemented, would be about $12 million per year across the system, with a little less than $3 million of that for LSU. F&A pays for indirect costs of research, including utilities, building costs, library and administration. I expect that this will be blocked by the courts next week, but that block may only be temporary.
I imagine that some of you are being contacted by your faculty, staff and leadership. Please feel free to let people know that LSU leadership is aware and is communicating about the consequences to those in positions to influence change. And as communicated to campus yesterday, we have an Opportunities and Threats team working on contingency planning for this and other challenges. We recognize that this is a stressful time for many and will do everything we can to protect LSU’s mission and its students, faculty and staff.
As I learn more, I will be in touch.
February 7, 2025 - Message from EVP and Provost Haggerty & VPR Twilley
Dear Colleagues,
The federal funding landscape is shifting in ways that may have implications for research institutions, including LSU. Federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation (NSF), have been directed to use new guidelines when reviewing grants. This review process has created uncertainty, and some grants have been flagged for further evaluation. In addition, funding for certain programs has been paused, and broader budget cuts may follow. The impact of these policy changes is still unfolding.
We recognize that this uncertainty may be stressful for faculty, staff, and students whose research or work could be affected. Please know that LSU is committed to supporting our research community and is closely monitoring the situation and will help you navigate this evolving environment. The Office of Research and Economic Development (ORED) is working to gather the latest information and will communicate updates through your deans, associate deans for research, and department chairs as we learn more.
For faculty, it is critical to inform ORED if you receive any communication from a federal funding agency regarding the status of your grants. Please forward any such correspondence to osp@lsu.edu.
Despite these potential challenges, we remain committed to your success. We will continue to advance LSU’s research mission in service to the state, nation, and world. Thank you for all the work that you do and for your understanding as we adapt to these new guidelines.
February 3, 2025 - Message from VPR Twilley:
Our monitoring of the federal changes continues. On Friday, January 31, 2025, a Federal Court issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) related to recent Executive Orders. The litigation is ongoing, but as things stand right now with the TRO, the federal agencies cannot pause, freeze, impede, block, cancel, or terminate any awards or obligations on the basis of the OMB Memo, or on the basis of the President’s recently issued Executive Orders. The TRO states agencies may exercise their own authority to pause awards or obligations, provide agencies do so purely based on their own discretion—not as a result of the OMB Memo or the President’s Executive Orders—and provided the pause complies with all notice and procedural requirements in the award, agreement, or other instrument relating to such a pause.
January 31, 2025 - Message from VPR Twilley:
The White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has rescinded the memorandum issued on Monday, January 27, that directed federal agencies to temporarily pause grants, loans, and other financial assistance programs. As a result, federal funding in these areas is expected to resume or continue at this time. Meanwhile, the Executive Orders issued by the President requiring the federal agencies to conduct reviews of their programs for compliance with the President’s agenda remain in effect.
We will continue to provide you with updates as we learn more. All notices will be saved as Federal Research Updates on the Office of Sponsored Program’s website, which includes a link to COGR’s 2025 Administration Information & Resources page. COGR updates this page constantly as new information becomes available, and we find it is the best source.
OSP will continue to share direct orders referencing specific award numbers to the impacted investigators and subrecipients. If you receive an order directly, please forward the notice to osp@lsu.edu.
This remains a rapidly evolving situation, and we’re closely monitoring developments. In addition, our Executive Leadership and our External Affairs team are actively working with our university and national partners to advocate for the needs of our university community.
If you have questions related to specific awards, please contact osp@lsu.edu.
January 28, 2025 - Message from VPR Twilley:
Dear Colleagues,
University Leadership is closely monitoring the Executive Orders and the updates from federal agencies regarding policy changes and evaluating their impact on LSU’s federally sponsored projects. This rapidly changing landscape could affect current projects and those awaiting funding decisions. We plan to keep you informed and offer guidance to the best of our ability. Please direct questions to the Office of Research, research@lsu.edu.
The Office of Sponsored Programs will send any directed agency notifications to the impacted principal investigators. If you receive information directly from an agency, please forward the information to osp@lsu.edu.
Lastly, please follow COGR’s 2025 Administration Transition Information & Resources for the latest information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will I know if my grant is affected?
Unless the sponsor has issued an award-specific stop-work order, LSU research teams should continue conducting research on federal grants. Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) is actively forwarding stop-work orders from sponsors to affected LSU investigators. Our current recommendation is to follow the latest guidance provided by the funding agency. We encourage investigators to reach out to their program officers for more information as needed. We know that some program officers are responding to inquiries.
For faculty, it is critical to inform ORED if you receive any communication from a federal funding agency regarding the status of your grants. Please forward any such correspondence to osp@lsu.edu.
Should I continue responding to grant solicitations? What if the solicitation appears to be in conflict with an executive order?
Faculty should continue submitting applications for active federal award solicitations. We encourage investigators to complete applications using the latest posted guidance, including for any components that may appear in conflict with executive orders, to ensure applications are accepted in the system.
I have a specific question about my grant or program. Where do I go for information?
We understand that many researchers have award-specific concerns. Please send your questions to Sponsored Programs at osp@lsu.edu and our team will compile them, provide responses, and add to these FAQs around common issues.