Research Impacts

Federal executive orders and directives can affect federally funded research at UC Irvine. Key areas impacted include:

  • Regulatory Compliance – Changes to grant management, reporting, and allowable costs.
  • Funding Restrictions – New conditions on federal awards.
  • Institutional Responsibilities – Guidance for researchers on compliance.

For timely updates from funding agencies, an FAQ, an archive of research town halls, instructions for joining the C&G email listserv, and a form to submit your specific questions about federal impacts on research, visit the Office of Research’s Impact of Federal Executive Orders and Directives on Federal Grants and Contracts page.

COGR 2025 Administration Transition Resources

The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), an association of research universities and institutions, provides a comprehensive tracking of executive orders, department/agency memoranda, and lawsuits affecting federally funded research. This resource offers analysis, institutional responses, and regulatory updates to help research institutions navigate policy changes during the 2025 administration transition.

Visit the COGR 2025 Administration Transition Information & Resources page for details.

F&A Costs in Federally Funded Research

The Frequently Asked Questions about Facilities and Administrative (F&A) Costs of Federally Sponsored University Research document, developed by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), explains the essential role of F&A costs—also known as indirect costs—in supporting federally funded research.

Key points:

  • These cover essential research infrastructure and administrative expenses, including labs, compliance, and safety measures.

  • Universities provide research on behalf of federal agencies, and F&A funding helps cover necessary operational costs.

  • Yes, institutions fund a significant portion of research expenses beyond federal grants.

  • No, federal reimbursements do not fully cover research-related infrastructure costs.

  • Reducing F&A support could limit research capacity, deteriorate facilities, and increase financial strain on universities.

    FAQs About Facilities and Administrative (F&A) Costs of Federally Sponsored University Research (PDF)

Recent Messages

Communications and updates from UC Irvine and UCOP

View all messages

Notice from National Science Foundation

A message from Pramod Khargonekar, Vice Chancellor of Research
April 18, 2025

Dear Colleagues,

Earlier today, NSF announced an update to its priorities: https://www.nsf.gov/updates-on-priorities.

Soon thereafter, we received notice from NSF with their decision to terminate five grants at UC Irvine. These grants total approximately $7.1 million, with about $3.9 million remaining in unspent funds. The notice indicates that these decisions are final and not subject to appeal. We have contacted the PIs of these cancelled grants.

I will continue to share updates as we navigate these disruptions to federal research funding. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Jeff Warner (warnerj@uci.edu), Nancy Lewis (nrlewis@uci.edu), or me.