This page was updated June 16, 2026
The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) is monitoring federal executive orders, agency guidance, and other federal actions that may affect sponsored projects at UNO. This page will be updated as new information becomes available. OSP will provide guidance to investigators when sponsor-specific action is required.
OSP serves as the official liaison between the university, Principal Investigators, and sponsors. Principal Investigators who receive official sponsor communications affecting an award should forward those communications to OSP at unosponpro@unomaha.edu for review and guidance.
Updated Agency Priorities
| Agency | Topic |
| Administration for Children and Familities | ACF Vision, Mission, Values, Priorities and Guiding Principles |
| National Endowment for the Humanities | Reorganization of Grantmaking Offices, Programs and Personnel |
| National Institutes of Health | Advancing NIH’s Unified Strategy NIH-Wide Strategic Plan |
| National Science Foundation | NSF FY 2026-2030 Strategic Plan |
| National Science Foundation-National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics | Federal R&D Funding, by Budget Function (2024-2026) |
| U.S. Department of Agriculture-National Institute of Food and Agriculture | Funding National Priorities What We Do: Research |
| U.S. Department of Education-Institute of Education Sciences | Strategy for the IES |
Latest Updates
2026
May 29: The U.S. Office of Management and Budget published a proposed revision to the OMB Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance — also known as Uniform Guidance — that is the regulatory framework for federal financial awards. Per OMB, the intent of the changes is “to improve government-wide policies and requirements related to the management of grants, cooperative agreements, and other forms of assistance.” These proposed changes could have meaningful implications for the conduct and administration of federally funded research at UNO, and we are thoroughly reviewing them. Importantly, the proposed rule is subject to a 45-day comment period, in which the University of Nebraska will consider a response along with university associations and peer institutions. In the meantime, the proposed rule has no immediate effect.
- APLU: Summary of Uniform Guidance Issues (updated 6/1/2026)
- COGR, AAU and APLU: OMB Proposed Rule on Uniform Guidance: Immediate Considerations for Research Institutions (updated 6/5/2026)
- NACUBO: OMB Proposes Major Changes to Federal Grant Rules (updated 6/1/2026)
2025
Nov. 12: The federal government is now open. Congress passed and the President signed a continuing resolution to fund operations through January 30, 2026.
Oct. 1: For additional resources, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) has compiled a list of federal agency lapse plans, and the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) has created a webpage with articles and resources related to the shutdown.
Sep. 29: Learn more in the Message from NU Leadership and FAQ on the potential government shutdown.
Sep. 26: UNO is closely monitoring federal budget negotiations. A potential government shutdown beginning October 1, 2025, could impact grants and federal agency operations. Please see the latest community letter for details and resources.
June 20: A federal court has ruled that the National Science Foundation’s 15% indirect cost rate cap and accompanying Policy Notice are invalid, arbitrary and capricious, and contrary to law. The ruling effectively nullifies the rate cap. Institutions should continue to apply their federally negotiated indirect cost rates. Read the full court decision.
June 18: A Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) has been issued, blocking the Department of Defense from implementing its Rate Cap Policy on indirect cost rates. Institutions should continue using their existing negotiated indirect cost rates until further notice.
Apr. 16: A Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) has been issued, blocking the Department of Energy from implementing its Rate Cap Policy on indirect cost rates. Institutions should continue using their existing negotiated indirect cost rates until further notice.
Feb. 10: A Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) has been issued, blocking the implementation of the NIH Supplemental Guidance on Indirect Cost Rates (NOT-OD-25-068). Institutions should continue using their existing negotiated indirect cost rates until further notice.
Jan. 31: A Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) has been issued, preventing federal agencies from pausing or canceling awards based on Executive Orders. Investigators should continue research activities unless directly instructed otherwise by their sponsor.
Proposals
Submission: Proposal submissions will continue as long as federal agency systems remain operational.
Review Timelines: Expect potential delays in sponsor proposal reviews as federal agencies address pauses in federal assistance funding for certain areas.
Action Items:
- Revalidate proposal deadlines to account for any potential adjustments.
- Confirm that funding announcements have not been revised or delayed.
- Sign up for agency or sponsor notifications, if available, to remain informed of updates.
Awards
Pending WBS Requests: Activating temporary accounts for pending federal awards is not advised.
Terms and Conditions: Executed award terms remain enforceable while active, including invoicing and reimbursements.
Research Compliance Updates: Anticipate updates to compliance requirements, possibly necessitating project-specific amendments. Swift compliance is critical to maintain funding.
- Export Control Matters and Foreign Travel/Collaboration Considerations: Contact Research Compliance at researchcompliance@unomaha.edu.
- Human Subject, Animal Research, Conflict in Interest in Research and Responsible Conduct in Research Matters: Contact Research Compliance at researchcompliance@unomaha.edu
Reporting Requirements: Updates may occur, requiring quick changes to avoid jeopardizing funding. If you need assistance, please contact your grants accountant .
Program Changes: In cases of program terminations or restructures, expect federal guidance on next steps, which OSP will promptly relay.
Travel: Previously approved travel should proceed as planned unless the awarding agency provides specific notice stating otherwise. If you have already made travel arrangements using obligated and approved funds, you may proceed. If you receive new guidance from your funding agency regarding travel restrictions, please forward to unosponpro@unomaha.edu.
*Please note, OSP has diligently worked to draw down all expended funds for federal awards and will continue to monitor fund availability to ensure compliance and timely reimbursement. Any concerns should be directed to grantsaccounting@unomaha.eduAction Items:
- PIs should continue federally funded research as planned unless directed otherwise by their sponsor.
- Review grant agreements to understand funding clauses.
- Monitor budget balances to avoid deficits while awaiting future funding obligations.
- Maintain communication with program officers for updates.
- Maintain communication with subrecipients if changes are necessary.
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Ensure all technical reports and deliverables are submitted on time.
- Monitor agency announcements for funding or compliance updates. Share any stop-work orders, termination notices, certification requests or suspensions with unosponpro@unomaha.edu immediately. OSP will coordinate next steps with you and your team.
Procurement Guidance
When conducting procurement for federally funded projects, consider the following:
- Agreement Terms: Review current agreements for cancellation clauses and payment milestones. For questions, contact your grants accountant or grantsaccounting@unomaha.edu.
- Quotes: Obtain quotes with the country of origin and a validity period to ensure stable pricing.
- Obligated Funds: Procure equipment or materials using currently available funds.
Executive Actions and Federal Agency Guidance
Presidential Actions:
- Executive Orders carry the force of law for government operations.
- Proclamations are formal, often symbolic statements.
- Memorandums provide policy guidance, less formal than Executive Orders.
As federal agencies issue official guidance and updates, additional sections will be added below.
COGR Communications & Other Resources
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COGR's All COGR Updates
- APLU's Joint Associtations Group on F&A Costs
Executive Orders & Related Resources (Source: Council on Government Relations)
- TRO Update (Jan. 31, 2025): A federal court has issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) preventing agencies from pausing or canceling grants based on Executive Orders. UNO is actively monitoring agency responses and will provide updates accordingly.
- Executive Orders: An Introduction (Congressional Research Service)
- The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) has posted an Overview of Executive Orders
Department/Agency Directives/Memoranda
- NSF Implementation of Recent Executive Orders (updated frequently)
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NIH A Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) has been issued, preventing NIH from implementing the Supplemental Guidance (NOT-OD-25-068) (2/10/2025)
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NIH Supplemental guidance to the 2024 NIH grants policy statement: Indirect cost rates (2/7/2025)
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OMB Memo M-25-13 has been rescinded. Unless instructed otherwise, investigators should continue to follow any stop-work orders they have received from funding agencies. Other executive orders remain in effect. (1/29/2025)
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Center for Disease Control - Cease DEI Activities on CDC Awards (1/29/2025)
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Department of Defense Statement Clarifying Defense Contracting (1/28/2025)
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New guidance (OMB Memo M-25-13) from the Trump Administration regarding all federally funded projects. (1/27/2025)
- OMB Memo M-25-13 has been rescinded as of January 29, 2025.
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U.S. Department of Education Takes Action to Eliminate DEI (1/23/2025)
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Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Immediate Pause on Issuing Documents and Public Communications (1/21/2025)
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Department of Energy (DOE) Agency-wide Review of Program and Administrative Activities (1/20/2025)