UPDATE from VPR Twilley on Changes in Federal Funding

NIH UPDATE:

U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley released a ruling on  Wednesday, March 5, blocking the National Institutes of Health’s recent order to cap indirect costs for new and existing federal grants at 15%. The nationwide injunction replaces the temporary restraining order on the funding cap issued by Kelley on February 11.

The new rate would have replaced previously negotiated rates with universities and research institutions, including LSU’s current negotiated rate of 50%, which would have reduced reimbursement of indirect costs of doing research by $12 million per year.

The federal administration can appeal the judge’s decision, but the injunction will remain in effect until such a ruling.

 

FACULTY UPDATE:

We ask faculty to continue to report any direct notifications from grant offices or program managers concerning changes anticipated on research contracts with LSU. Please forward any such correspondence to osp@lsu.edu. It is very important that the Office of Sponsored Programs supports you in any recommended changes.

Also, we recommend that PIs on grants reach out to their program officers to see if there are any updates on program funding. There has been significant turnover in many agencies such as NSF, and it is important that you maintain direct contact with your program officer. Many notifications state that ‘programs are under further review.’

Finally, many funding opportunities remain active and faculty are encouraged to review the GeauxGrants Newsletter for notifications of funding opportunities. ORED continues to provide resources to help faculty pursue their research endeavors.