January 31st, 2025
Dear RIT Researchers and Research Community:
The uncertainty this week caused by the new administration’s Executive Orders (EOs) has been significant and widespread among universities. There are some key points for all of us to keep in mind as we process the effects of these EOs on RIT’s research activities. In several of the EOs, the federal agencies have been given 60 days to provide guidance to their grantees (such as RIT) and to determine how they are implementing and communicating these new EO requirements. Many agencies have provided preliminary guidance already, and we expect more will be forthcoming. SRS has a webpage to track updates and agency guidance when it is received, please check it regularly for new information.
All RIT researchers should know:
- New proposals will continue to be submitted as long as agency systems are operational. PIs should review deadlines and check agency and RFP websites frequently to ensure the funding announcement has not been revised or updated. Contact your SRS preaward representative (or if unknown, preaward@rit.edu) with any specific questions on proposals.
- Continue to execute your active federal awards as planned, unless you receive an email from SRS that agency guidance affects your award, specific communication from your sponsoring agency, or a formal stop work order from the contracting office of the sponsor.
- A. Communications to slow or stop working from a Program Officer or anyone else at an agency is relevant, but not sufficient to stop work.
- B. If you receive a direct communication from your agency sponsor to stop work, immediately forward that communication to your SRS postaward representative (or if unknown, postaward@rit.edu). SRS will work with you to communicate with the sponsor if necessary, and communicate with SPA on next steps at RIT.
- If federal agency guidance requires a pause of activities or an order to cease work on specific federal projects, SRS will reach out directly to PIs via email to discuss applicability to your project(s). A review of the scope of work and reporting for your project will help inform which activities must be paused or ceased.
- PIs should continue to prioritize submission of project expenses through RIT’s systems so that SPA may submit timely billing of RIT invoices to sponsors.
- PIs should also continue their prompt submission of all technical reports and deliverables to sponsors for current research projects.
Thank you for your patience as we navigate this situation in the coming weeks.
Ryne Raffaelle
Vice President for Research