Guidance to NSF-funded researchers

January 29, 2025

Dear NSF-funded PIs,

We are writing to ensure that you have received the communication from NSF regarding implementation of the Executive Orders.

Please note that their guidance indicates that: “All NSF grantees must comply with these executive orders, and any other relevant executive orders issued, by ceasing all non-compliant grant and award activities. Executive orders are posted at whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions. In particular, this may include, but is not limited to conferences, trainings, workshops, considerations for staffing and participant selection, and any other grant activity that uses or promotes the use of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) principles and frameworks or violates federal anti-discrimination laws.”

As an institution, we are working to evaluate how the EOs might impact federally-funded research. To that end, we are reviewing information about active proposals that we have available in Cayuse. We are also asking you to evaluate whether any of your grant activities “use[s] or promote[s] the use of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) principles and frameworks.”. If you identify any such activities, or have questions, we ask that you contact me (VP McAllister) and cease them immediately.  We will work together to resolve the questions or concerns, help you submit any questions we are unable to resolve internally to NSF, and/or provide additional guidance. 

For those of you whose entire grant activities may pertain to DEIA principles and frameworks, please send me an email and we will work with you on next steps (but you must cease all grant-related activities immediately). 

For those of you who have a subset of such activities within your grant, please cease those activities immediately and as soon as you can, send us a list of those activities, together with the budget that relates to those activities, including personnel and salaries.  

For those of you who do not believe that you have any activities related to the NSF letter, please email me back to confirm receipt and your assessment.

We are navigating this unexpected situation at the same time that you’re determining the impact on your research program.  It is possible that our guidance will change as we gain new information and our understanding of that information changes. The news is rapidly changing, so we will provide updates as we have them. 

Please know that we understand and feel your concern and will work through your questions in collaboration with you as quickly as we can, while navigating this rapidly changing situation.

Kim

A. Kimberley McAllister, Ph.D.

Vice Provost for Research, Scholarly Inquiry and Creative Activity