Updates

On Friday, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued Supplemental Guidance to the 2024 Grants Policy on Indirect Cost Rates. The new guidance addressess IDC rate changes.

We are currently reviewing the guidance.

At this time, PIs do not need to take any action. Your Sponsored Program Coordinator will notify you if you need to modify a proposal budget. Budgets for active awards will be modified by Grants Accounting, as appropriate. As a reminder, indirect cost modifications on active awards do not impact your direct cost, project-related budget.

As the new presidential administration continues to develop its policies, we anticipate additional guidance and regulations. We realize this rapid pace of information can be challenging, so we wanted to offer an opportunity for you to hear how these changes may impact your federally-funded sponsored projects in research, instruction and service.  

We will hold two in-person open forums  

    2 p.m. | Monday, Feb. 3

    Bowen-Thompson Student Union, Room 316

    11 a.m. | Tuesday, Feb. 4

    Bowen-Thompson Student Union, Room 316

While there is still significant uncertainty, we can share what we know. In turn, we would like to know your concerns. We may not be able to answer questions with certainty, but we can loop back as new guidance becomes available.

Please watch for updated guidance on our website, including the message that we shared via email yesterday.

As we move into the new year, I know that this has been a time of uncertainty for the research enterprise. The BGSU Division of Research is monitoring updates and resources related to Federal Executive Orders and other federal actions impacting federally-funded sponsored projects for research, instruction and service activities.  While the recent announcements have raised many concerns and questions, it is common for new administrations to pause select activities during the transition period while they work to align their programs and onboard new agency leadership.

A few items that may help with your research planning are listed below.

• Communications: Communication from federal funding agencies may be delayed including new funding opportunity and award announcements, regulations and guidance.  
• Proposals: While we strongly encourage you to continue moving forward any proposals to meet current deadlines, you should monitor for potential deadline or requirement changes.  As new versions of existing funding opportunities are released, please review carefully because not all changes may be highlighted.  We encourage you to sign up for agency notifications, if available.  
• Awards: Ensure that your active award is in good standing (e.g. all required reports submitted) and that you are fulfilling project objectives by spending toward obligated funds, as anticipated future funding is generally subject to fund availability and not guaranteed.  Grants Accounting can assist if you have questions about obligated fund balances.  If you receive notification from the funding agency (e.g. a stop work order or reporting requirement), immediately share with the  Division of Research.  Again, we encourage you to sign up for agency notifications, if available.  
• Award Activities & EO Alignment: If you have components of your award that are related to activities under review in the Presidential Executive Orders (e.g. DEIA), please reach out to the Division of Research for assistance to ensure that your activities are compliant. NSF guidance indicates that this may include, but is not limited to conferences, trainings, workshops, considerations for staffing and participant selection, and any other grant activity that uses or promotes the use of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) principles and frameworks or violates federal anti-discrimination laws. 

We anticipate greater clarity over the coming days. In the meantime, you should continue work to fulfill your obligations under federally funded projects using currently obligated funds.  If you receive a notification from the sponsor to stop or pause your work, immediately comply and notify the Division of Research.

We are here to assist as we continue to grow the BGSU research enterprise, so please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions: (1) general questions can be directed to the AVP; (2) proposal questions to your Research & Sponsored Program Coordinator; and (3) award questions to Grants Accounting or the Research & Sponsored Programs Director.

Thank you for your patience with this rapidly evolving situation.