Sharing some good news, and actions for possible federal shutdown

This email is being sent to PIs with open federal awards, deans, research associate deans, and unit heads whose units have federal sponsored projects.

Dear colleagues, 

I continue to be grateful for and impressed by your dedication to your work and each other. It’s been six weeks since the federal administration changes began, and some of the developments this week are positive for our research enterprise. 

New developments 

CSU is committed to supporting our graduate research assistants through these uncertain times. Our graduate research assistants (GRAs) who are on awards impacted by the changing federal landscape will be paid through the spring semester regardless of the status of the underlying grant. 

A federal judge further extended the pause on the new NIH policy to restrict overhead costs. The judge issued a nationwide preliminary injunction, indicating that the NIH plan to cut indirect costs would likely result in irreparable harm. Last week we saw some successful proposal submissions, received new awards, and incremental funding and other modifications including no-cost extensions were issued from several federal agencies    

Possible government shutdown  

We are continuing to monitor government activity and updates and consider a government shutdown at the end of this week a real possibility.  Please refer to the federal research update website for guidance on actions to take in preparation of a potential shutdown.   

A few reminders: 

  • It is imperative that PIs and others do not respond directly to any communication from a federal agency asking questions about their sponsored project, regardless of the urgency of the request for information without express approval from OVPR or the Office of Sponsored Programs. Only OSP may submit information to the federal government regarding sponsored projects. 
  • Please forward all such requests to OVPR at [email protected]. OVPR will work with PIs on and reply to these requests.   
  • OSP will work directly with Procurement if stop work notices will impact purchase orders or expenditure contracts. Standard procurement rules still apply.   

Please make sure you have wrapped up any of the necessary actions before you leave for spring break.  I hope that you get time to unplug and spend time doing something that recharges you.  

Best, 

Cass 

Cassandra Moseley, Ph.D. (she/hers)
Vice President for Research

Professor, Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship