Overview of Executive Orders and Agency Directives

Since his inauguration, President Trump has issued a significant number of federal executive orders and agency directives, many of which will affect our investigators' upcoming federal proposals and existing federal grants and contracts. While some agencies have begun issuing updates, many others are still in the process of determining how they will implement these E.O.s and directives. As a result, there is a great deal of speculation about the implications of the changes, and we understand that many of our investigators have questions and concerns about how to move forward with their proposals and grants and contracts.

Rice University leadership is closely monitoring these developments and will update this web page as the White House and federal agencies release additional guidance.

Please visit this page often. It is important that you stay informed to ensure that you remain compliant with all guidance. The information below will help you stay on top of, understand, and gain insight into the changes and how they will affect your proposals and grants and contracts.

What Should I Do?  Pre-submission and Pre-award Activities

  • As proposal deadlines approach, regularly check program websites and funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) to obtain updates on whether the program is still accepting applications, issuing new announcements or amending existing announcements, and/or changing requirements and due dates. Doing so will help you ensure compliance with the latest guidelines.

  • Be aware that award decisions may be delayed. Monitor program websites and FAQs for any news.

What Should I Do?  Existing Awards

  • Continue working on your grants and contracts unless directly notified by the agency or the Office of Sponsored Research (OSP). Do not stop work based on rumors or internal agency guidance. Agencies must notify us of any changes to your funding once the contract is in place.
     
  • Maintain contact with your program officers, but be aware that some may have paused communications.
     
  • Monitor policy updates from the federal agency overseeing your grant for any changes in funding or compliance requirements. Refer to the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) resource page linked below.
  • If PIs or RAs receive any award modifications or other notices, forward them to OSP at osp@rice.edu as soon as possible for review and processing.
  • Notify OSP at osp@rice.edu if you receive a "Stop Work" notice from a federal sponsor. A stop work order typically means all project work must cease immediately, and no expenses can be incurred from the effective date of the notice.
     
  • Closely monitor obligated budget balances to avoid deficits while awaiting future obligations. Anticipated funding is subject to availability and should not be considered guaranteed.
     
  • Continue to meet existing deadlines for technical reports and/or other deliverables.

General Information and Resources on Federal Executive Orders and Agency Directives

Federal Agency Directiveslegal@rice.edu

This list of federal agency directives will be updated on a daily basis.

Understanding Executive Orders

Related Articles

January 29, 2025

January 28, 2025

  1. Trump offering federal workers buyouts with about 8 months’ pay in effort to shrink government (AP, January 29, 2025)
  2. Regarding the unconstitutionality of the OMB memo freezing all federal funding. The Impoundment Crisis of 2025 (One First)
  3. NIH memo addresses ‘confusion’ about restrictions imposed by Trump, easing some concerns (Science)

January 27, 2025

January 24, 2025

January 24, 2025 

January 23, 2025

January 22, 2025

Directories