Executive Order Information and Guidance

Last updated: February 3, 2025 at 11:25am

A Message from the Vice Provost for Research

Released on January 29, 2025 at 1:03pm.

Campus Community,

Today, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has rescinded the Monday memo, which paused all federal grants.

Please continue to work on your research and scholarship as originally planned.

Thank you for your hard work and dedication in writing and obtaining your grant and working to answer key questions to create knowledge and push back the veils of the unknown.  I appreciate your work and dedication.

As always, we are here if you have any questions.

Dr. David Butler , Vice Provost for Research and Dean of the College of Graduate Studies

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Released on January 28, 2025, at 8:58am.

Dear MTSU Campus Community,

We are reviewing the OMB memo M-25-13 that was released to the heads of executive departments and agencies regarding the pause in federal grant awards and payments.  Additionally, we are expecting guidance from the various federal agencies for which we have contracts. As soon as we have new and actionable information, we will share this with the campus community.

Dr. David Butler , Vice Provost for Research and Dean of the College of Graduate Studies

Response from the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs

The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs is closely monitoring for any developments in federal policy. Any updates we receive will be posted to this webpage. As always, we are dedicated to supporting our campus community and will continue working to do so as we navigate the executive orders.

We are available should you have any questions or concerns about this matter. Please direct emails to research2@mtsu.edu and we will get in touch with you promptly. If you receive any relevant communications or directives from your sponsor, please forward the email to your specialist.

Thank you for your patience as we navigate this together.

Proposals and Awards

We will continue to submit proposals as federal agency submission portals are operational. Please note that sponsor timelines may change and/or be extended while federal agencies adapt to new rules, guidelines, and policies. ORSP’s specialists are monitoring changes in proposal deadlines; however, it is recommended that principal investigators reconfirm due dates as well.

Continue conducting all research and creative activities as normal unless directed by official agency communication. If there is a change to an award, ORSP will receive notice from the sponsor and will contact those involved at that time. It is recommended that faculty and staff document any effects that these changes may have on their work. We understand that this order may cause interruptions and challenges; please report any challenges to research2@mtsu.edu.

Updates

Last updated on February 3, 2025 at 11:25am

• On January 31st, a temporary restraining order (TRO) was filed directing Federal grant-making agencies to “…not pause, freeze, impede, block, cancel, or terminate… awards and obligations to provide federal financial assistance to the States, and… not impede the States’ access to such awards and obligations, except on the basis of the applicable authorizing statutes, regulations, and terms.”
• On Wednesday, January 29th, M-25-13 was rescinded and M-25-14 was released.
• On Tuesday, January 28th, a federal judge blocked the order from taking effect until Monday, February 3rd. (federal judge justification for stay order)
• The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has issued guidance requesting agencies to temporarily pause, where permitted by law, any grant, loan, or federal financial assistance programs implicated by the executive orders.
• On Monday, January 27th, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memo, M-25-13 , which will require all federal agencies to review financially supported activities and programs and ensure that they are in line with the president’s recent executive orders.

Guidance from Agencies

Agency directives and memos can be tracked here as they are released: 2025 Administration Transition Information & Resources | Council on Governmental Relations

• Department of Energy (Guidance from the DOE) Updated January 29, 2025
• National Science Foundation (Message from the NSF) Updated February 3, 2025 at 11:25am
• U.S. Department of State Updated January 29, 2025
• National Institute of Justice Updated January 29, 2025
• Department of Justice (Message from the DOJ) Updated February 3, 2025 at 11:25am
• Department of Health and Human Services (Message from the Department of HHS) Updated February 3, 2025 at 11:25am
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (Message from FEMA) Updated February 3, 2025 at 11:25am