Updates on Federal Actions Related to Research

This webpage is dynamic and updated frequently. Please check back often.

Last updated March 4, 2026.

 

Open Forum for Research

The next research open forum will be on March 19 from 12:00–1:00 p.m. via Zoom. In addition to ongoing updates about the federal funding situation, we will have a brief update from Mike Harwood, Associate Vice President and University Architect, and Steve Mital, Director of Sustainability Utilities and Energy, about the upcoming electric power testing and impacts for research.

View prior open forum slides. 

Guidelines for the Research Community

The Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) continues to monitor the 2025 presidential administration transition. Below are some helpful guidelines.

  • Closely monitor obligated budget balances to avoid deficits while awaiting future obligations. Anticipated future funding remains subject to availability of funds and should not be considered guaranteed.
  • If you are waiting to hear back from a program officer, please be aware they may not be able to respond during the agency communications pause.
  • Ensure all technical reports and deliverables are submitted by their due dates and prioritize the submission of any that are past due.
  • Monitor policy updates: Keep an eye on announcements from the federal agency overseeing your grant for any updates on funding or compliance requirements.
  • Principal investigators are encouraged to ensure that they have access to and control over datasets.
  • Continue to submit proposals. Closely monitor the funding announcement to see if the proposal criteria changes.
  • OVPRI and the Office of General Counsel ask that you forward any communications from granting agencies relating to stop work orders, modifications to existing grants, requests for attestations, and spending justification requests.

OVPRI has adopted a process to appeal the termination of contracts and grants by federal agencies (requires DuckID to log in).

Additionally, the UO continues to monitor and communicate any immigration updates, and their potential impact to our international, Dreamer, and undocumented students, faculty, and staff.

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Recent Federal Actions

Past Federal Actions
Statements in Response to Federal Actions

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Resources for Researchers

Please note this page is dynamic, and information could be incomplete.

At this time, the Council on Government Relations (COGR) is providing the most complete guidance on how the executive orders could affect operations, including a summary of executive orders. COGR's mission is to empower an unparalleled US academic research ecosystem by advancing sound federal policies and regulations that are vital to US science and innovation leadership and our nation’s health, security, and prosperity. Request access to the COGR membership portal.

The Chronicle of Higher Education is tracking the actions of President Trump's administration that affect higher education. Chronicle of Higher Education's Trump's Agenda for Higher Ed Tracker (sign in with your DuckID to access Chronicle content)

The Chronicle is also tracking the development of an indirect costs (also known as facilities and administrative, or F&A) model. Read more about the Financial Accountability in Research (FAIR) model (requires UO VPN or account to access).

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has compiled a fiscal year (FY) 2026 research and development appropriations dashboard. It compares the White House, House, and Senate spending proposals for science and technology programs in FY 2026.

The Association of Public & Land-grant Universities (APLU) provides an overview of appropriations priorities annual requests and a summary of the FY26 President’s Budget Request.

APLU’s Office of Governmental produced a detailed analysis of FY26 funding levels for the association’s priority accounts spanning research, student aid, and other federal programs. 

APLU also maintains a tracker compiling F&A language across all FY26 appropriations bills. 

FAQs for Researchers

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Tracking Terminations and Appeals

  • Grant terminations received: 19, totaling $1.5 million
  • Change from previous week: 0
  • Relevant agencies: NEA, NEH, NSF, Department of Education, Department of Energy, Economic Development Administration
  • Active appeals: 0
  • Terminations lifted: 13 (NIH: 11; NSF: 1; Corporation for National Community Service: 1), totaling $6.4 million

These figures are current as of 2/25.

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Email Updates

The following message was sent to graduate students, tenure track and research faculty, department grant administrators, OVPRI centers and institutes, core facility staff, Government and Community Relations, Office of General Counsel, and OVPRI staff on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

This week, we’re sharing updates on future planning for the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), staffing and solicitation changes at the National Science Foundation (NSF), and helpful resources from advocacy partner COGR. Additionally, we’ll provide more information about the upcoming research open forum that includes an update from Campus Planning and Facilities Management on the electric power testing and its effects on research.

“Reimagining” IES

The UO is the top university recipient of IES funding in the country. Despite President Trump’s recommendation that the IES budget should be cut by 84%, Congress voted to keep its funding relatively level at $790 million—a clear validation of the agency’s perceived value.The US Department of Education has issued a 93-page report that identifies areas where it believes that IES should improve. Recommendations include aligning grant-making and technical assistance with needs identified by states and districts; prioritizing timeliness over technical precision; focusing on targeted, actionable insights supporting the previously mentioned state and local educational needs; and modernizing data collection, coordination and dissemination. Further analysis is available via Inside Higher Ed (account required; it’s free to sign up).

NSF Boosts Staffing but Plans to Reduce Grant Solicitations

NSF Chief Management Officer Micah Cheatham recently told the National Science Board, which approves NSF’s policies, that last year’s cuts (a 35% staffing reduction) have left it understaffed and that it needs to hire more employees. Cheatham also told the Board that the agency plans to consolidate the number of funding solicitations it issues while broadening the scope of those remaining. Further analysis is available via Inside Higher Ed.

Sharing COGR Resources

COGR, an organization that advocates for effective and efficient national research policies and regulations, has been one of our greatest assets in the turbulent past year and a trusted resource for understanding the federal landscape. Those interested in a deeper dive on the federal situation can view COGR's February virtual meeting slides.

Next Research Open Forum March 19

Finally, the next research open forum is March 19 from 12:00–1:00 p.m. via Zoom. In addition to ongoing updates about the federal funding situation, we will have a brief update from Mike Harwood, Associate Vice President and University Architect, and Steve Mital, Director of Sustainability Utilities and Energy, about the upcoming electric power testing and impacts for research.

Prior Emails

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