Federal funding updates

This webpage serves as the centralized location for updates regarding federal research funding. Updates and resources for all other federal actions can be found here

Page last updated: May 20, 2025, 12:20 p.m.

Updates

Proposals

What to do:

  • Unless you are otherwise notified by federal agencies or the OVPRI, do not postpone your plans to submit your grant proposals on time - i.e., continue to submit them as planned and by the posted due dates.  All federal systems are currently operational and are expected to remain that way.
  • Reconfirm that the funding announcement has not been revised or postponed. If available, consider signing up for alerts from the federal agency or sponsor.
  • As of May 1, 2025, the NIH will no longer issue awards to domestic or foreign entities that include a subaward to a foreign entity (Updated NIH Policy on Foreign Subawards). This applies to new, renewal or non-competing continuation awards. VCU cannot submit any NIH proposal that includes a subaward to a foreign entity. (Updated May 6, 2025)

Awards

What to do:

  • Maintain a close eye on communication from your sponsoring agency.
  • Stay in touch with your program officer from your sponsoring agency, as necessary. 
  • Continue to submit reports and other prior approval requests on schedule. 
  • The Division of Sponsored Programs (DSP) and Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) have issued new guidance on the appeal process for award terminations. This guidance outlines the process for how Principal Investigators (PI) may appeal termination decisions when that option is offered by the federal agency. To learn more or submit an appeal, click here.
  • While the university works towards the ability to certify the DHHS’ Notice of Civil Rights Term and Condition of Award, faculty who have received a new NIH/DHHS award will need to submit an Advanced Index Request Form to establish their new index as DSP/G&C will not complete the full award setup until VCU is able to certify. Contact your school or unit research administrator with any questions regarding this process. (Updated May 5, 2025)
  • As of May 1, 2025, the NIH will no longer issue awards to domestic or foreign entities that include a subaward to a foreign entity (Updated NIH Policy on Foreign Subawards). This applies to new, renewal or non-competing continuation awards. VCU investigators with affected awards should discuss options like renegotiation or deferral with their program officers as upcoming NOAs are expected to reflect defunding of foreign subawards. (Updated May 6, 2025)
  • NIH no cost extensions must now be submitted as a prior approval request in eRA Commons, in accordance with Updated NIH Processes for No-Cost Extensions. Researchers will need to create an administrative action (AA) in the RAMS-SPOT award record for all NCE requests. Please review our Admin Action Get Started Guide for what should be included in a prior approval NCE. Researchers who are planning on submitting an NCE for their NIH award are advised to do so well in advance of their anniversary date. (Updated May 7, 2025)

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