On January 27, 2025, the Office of Management and Budget issued Memorandum M-25-13, Temporary Pause of Agency Grant, Loan, and Other Financial Assistance Programs (OMB Memorandum). This memorandum was followed with this FAQ provided by COGR. The OMB Memorandum “requires Federal agencies to identify and review all Federal financial assistance programs and supporting activities consistent with the President’s policies and requirements,” including recent Executive Orders. With respect to Boise State, the term “Federal financial assistance” generally refers to grants and cooperative agreements directly received from the Federal government or through subawards.
The OMB Memorandum requires that while these reviews are being conducted, “Federal agencies must temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance, and other relevant agency activities that may be implicated by the executive orders . . . .” The phrase “obligation or disbursement” refers to receiving new awards, receiving continuation funding or supplements on existing awards, and being reimbursed for expenses on existing awards. In addition, this pause includes activities related to Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFO), “such as conducting merit review panels” and removing certain solicitations, and goes into effect January 28, 2025 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time.
This temporary pause is intended to “provide the Administration time to review agency programs and determine the best uses of the funding for those programs consistent with the law and the President’s priorities.” Based on the timing specified in the OMB Memorandum, the temporary pause will likely extend through at least February 10, 2025.
Boise State and the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) are closely monitoring the situation, and we expect to receive agency specific information and guidance throughout the day today, January 28, 2025. Updated information will be posted to the following website as it is received: https://www.boisestate.edu/research-osp/federal-funding-updates-2025/
As we await additional guidance from Federal agencies, most awardees at Boise State should not change operations including research projects, billing, and drawing down funds as they would in the normal course of business. If you receive communications from associations, member organizations, or other third parties outlining advice on how to proceed, please consult OSP before acting on any advice to ensure we are following federal directives.
However, if your award is specifically related to the subject areas or laws listed in the OMB Memorandum or the new Executive Orders (also see FAQ), you should reach out to OSP to discuss your work, budget, and charges. Prompt actions may be necessary.
If you receive direct communication specific to your active awards from your federal partners, please forward that communication to OSP ASAP at osp@boisestate.edu.