Important Updates

VPR’s letter to the RIT Research Community

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.

Information Regarding Executive Orders Affecting DEIA and DEI Initiatives

Ongoing updates

On January 20th and 21st, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Orders (EO), regarding DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) and DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and accessibility) initiatives and programs. These Executive Order gives federal agencies time to review and implement termination of DEI or DEIA initiatives and programs "as allowed by law;" and to issue guidance for private sector compliance to end "illegal DEI discrimination and preferences."

NSF Moving to Multifactor Authentication

Effective on and after October 27, 2024, NSF is requiring multifactor authentication (MFA) for its Research.gov portal. All users will be required to complete a one-time MFA enrollment process and then use MFA to sign into Research.gov.

SPECIAL NOTICE DARPA-SN-24-108 Trenton Proposers Day - October 10

The DARPA Strategic Technology Office (STO) will host a Proposers Day supporting DARPA-PS24-21, Trenton program on October 10, 2024, via webinar from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM (ET). This conference aims to provide information on the Trenton program, promote additional discussion on this topic, address questions from potential proposers, and provide a forum for potential proposers to develop teaming opportunities. The Proposers Day will include overview presentations by DARPA personnel and a question and answer session following the presentations. Questions and answers will be posted to SAM.gov after the event. The Proposers Day will be held at the unclassified level.

Stanford Energy Postdoctoral Fellowship - Applications Close on October 1st!

The Stanford Energy Postdoctoral Fellowship aims to identify, develop, and connect the next generation of energy leaders from science and engineering to policy and economics to address the challenges of the global energy transformation through interdisciplinary approaches.

We are looking for a diverse cohort of applicants to further their work on sustainable energy, broadly defined. We will select up to ten fellows every year for full financial support, including a salary of $85,000, benefits, and funds for research and development.

Fellows in this program benefit from dedicated professional development and community-building programming that will prepare them to address global energy challenges.

A flyer is attached to distribute and provides a summary of the fellowship.