Recent executive orders and directives are affecting certain federal funding priorities, awarded contracts and grants, and pending funding from federal agencies or sponsors.

The Office of the Senior Vice President for Research and Economic Development, along with other university leadership, is closely monitoring communications from the various federal agencies and will provide guidance to Auburn faculty and staff as it is received from the agencies. 

Principal investigators are encouraged to stay in contact with their program officers to understand potential programmatic changes to their awards and to monitor federal websites for changes in proposal deadlines, requirements, or other actions.

Principal investigators are strongly encouraged to continue preparation of proposals without disruption. 

• The Office of Sponsored Programs, in coordination with college level offices, will continue normal proposal submission processes using the newly implemented Endeavor system. 

• Principal investigators should verify federal funding opportunities of interest to ensure they have not been revised or submission deadlines changed. The Office of Sponsored Programs can help with verifying submission deadlines. Where possible, it may be helpful to register for email alerts from the federal agency or sponsor. 

• If principal investigators have questions regarding the scope of work of their proposal, they should contact the funding agency program officer for guidance. The Office of Sponsored Programs stands ready to help if needed.

• Principal investigators should be prepared for the possibility of extended proposal review timelines by federal sponsors. 

Principal investigators should continue conducting project activities without disruption unless the funding agency provides further guidance. 

• If a principal investigator believes a project might be impacted by agency changes, it is highly recommended the PI contact the agency’s program officer to confirm there are no changes to the grant or contract. 

• If a project contains diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility components, principal investigators should seek guidance from their agency program manager or technical point of contact at their earliest convenience.

• If a principal investigator receives communication directly from an agency, the PI should contact the Office of Sponsored Programs immediately. Work on the project should continue until Sponsored Programs confirms with the funding agency any official changes in the project scope of work, budget, period of performance, or terms and conditions. Based on agency communications, the Office of Sponsored Programs will review agreements terms and conditions and work directly with the agency to revise contract clauses, if needed.  

• If the Office of Sponsored Programs receives communication from a sponsor concerning changes in any contract or grant awards, it will notify the pertinent college-level offices and the principal investigator and guide them through any necessary revisions in the project. 

• As always, principal investigators should closely monitor project budget balances. For awards where funding is provided in different project periods, future funding is contingent on the agency’s terms and availability of funds, so it should not be assumed that future funding is guaranteed.

• Finally, it remains important to continue submission of all project progress reports or other deliverables in accordance with the contract or grant terms.

• A resource page dedicated to the 2025 Administration Transition is available AU faculty and staff through the Council on Government Relations (COGR). This page is continually updated as new information is released.

• Contact Auburn University Office of Sponsored Programs as you have questions regarding preparation and submission of proposals or management of contract or grant awards.