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SPA News & Announcements

SPA News & Announcements

Federal Government Reopening: Update for the Research Community

February 4, 2026 – A short update shared with the University research community about the reopening of government operations.

Federal Partial Government Shutdown: Impact on the Research Community

February 2, 2026 – Interim VP Billings updates the University Research Community on how the university is managing the situation; monitoring developments, working with partners across the university, and providing updates to guidance.

NIH Raises Salary Cap, Effective January 1, 2026

February 2, 2026 – The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has increased the salary cap for NIH grant and cooperative agreement awards and extramural research and development contract awards.

NIH Policy Updates: New Research Security Training, Mandatory Common Forms, and Application Burden Reduction

December 15, 2025 – The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will implement several policy changes affecting proposal submissions, starting in early 2026.

Federal Government Reopening: Guidance for the Research Community

November 14, 2025 – Guidance for the research community regarding the reopening of the federal government and anticipated delays as federal agencies begin processing a backlog of research-related activities.

Federal Government Shutdown: Impact on the Research Community

October 1, 2025 – VP Priya updates the University Research Community on how the university is managing the situation; monitoring developments, working with partners across the university, and providing updates to guidance.

Update on Possible Government Shutdown October 1

September 26, 2025 – If a continuing resolution or full FY26 federal budgets are not passed by midnight on September 30, the federal government will shut down on October 1. SPA has provided guidance regarding federal funding and grants.

Guidance on International Collaborations under the NIH Policy on Foreign Subawards

September 19, 2025 – In May 2025, NIH announced it would stop accepting new grant applications with foreign subawards/consortiums. On September 12, NIH released Notice NOT-OD-25-155, outlining the new structure and guidance for international collaborations under this policy.

Executive Order on Oversight of Federal Grantmaking

August 12, 2025 – VPR Priya shares an update on a recent executive order which directs senior agency appointees to review funding opportunity announcements and discretionary grants to ensure they align with agency priorities and the national interest.

DoD Announces 15% Indirect Cost (F&A) Rate Cap

June 13, 2025 – The Department of Defense (DoD) has issued a memo announcing the Implementation of a 15% Indirect Cost Cap on Assistance Awards to Institutions of Higher Education.

Unsolicited Inquiries from NSF

June 13, 2025 – Guidance for PIs regarding direct requests from NSF personnel.

Delayed Award Setup for NIH and NSF Grants

May 29, 2025 – NIH and NSF awards that contain new certifications referencing compliance with Executive Orders require additional consideration by senior leadership.

DoD to Implement 15% Indirect Cost Cap on Higher Education Awards

May 23, 2025 – The Department of Defense has issued a new memorandum announcing its intent to cap indirect cost rates at 15% or lower.

NIH Policy Change on Foreign Subawards

May 8, 2025 – The NIH has issued an updated policy on foreign subawards. Learn how this changes our award process.

NSF Policy Notice to Implement a 15% F&A Rate

May 2, 2025 – SPA leadership shares guidance regarding the NSF implementation of a standard 15% Indirect Cost Rate.

NSF Award Terminations and Statement of Priorities – Monitoring and Next Steps

April 21, 2025 – NSF has shared information regarding awards and federal changes impacting university research.

DOE Policy Flash to Implement a 15% F&A Rate

April 16, 2025 – An update to guidance regarding DOE awards and F&A rates.

NIH Raises Salary Cap

April 8, 2025 – NIH has issued notice that they will raise the salary cap for NIH grant and cooperative agreement awards and extramural research and development contract awards.

Memo: "DEI Executive Orders Reinstated"

March 24, 2025 – Pamela Webb and April Coon share an update of DEI Executive Orders and how they impact research activities at the University.

Memo: "Update: Federal Developments Related to Research Projects"

February 27, 2025 – Pamela Webb and April Coon share an update to the research community regarding developments related to federally-sponsored research projects.

Memo: NIH 15% Indirect Cost Rate Cap – from Pamela Webb and David Hagen

February 18, 2025 – Pamela Webb and David Haden share an update to the research community regarding developments related to the NIH 15% Indirect Cost Rate Cap.

Memo: Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on NIH Indirect Cost Rate Change – from Pamela Webb and April Coon

February 11, 2025 – Pamela Webb and April Coon share an update to the research community regarding developments related to the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on NIH indirect cost rate change.

Memo: In support of our research enterprise – from UMN President Rebecca Cunningham

February 10, 2025 – President Rebecca Cunningham shares an update to the University community in support of our research enterprise.

Memo: Important Update: NIH Guide Notice – from VPR Shashank Priya on NIH announcement

February 8, 2025 – VPR Shashank Priya shares an update to the research community regarding developments related to the NIH Guide Notice.

Memo: Clarification and Update on Survey Request for Federally Funded PIs from Pamela Webb and JoonHyung Cho

February 7, 2025 – Pamela Webb and JoonHyung Cho share a clarification and update to the research community regarding developments related to the survey request and federally-funded PIs.

Memo: Memorandum with updated information from Pamela Webb and JoonHyung Cho

February 5, 2025 – Pamela Webb and JoonHyung Cho share an update to the research community regarding developments related to federal Executive Orders (EOs) and OMB Memoranda.

Memo: Message from President Cunningham about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and International Scholars

February 3, 2025 – President Rebecca Cunningham shares an update to the University community regarding developments related to diversity, equity and inclusion, and international scholars.

Memo: Message from EVP Gregg Goldman on Changes in Federal Immigration Policies

January 31, 2025 – EVP Greg Goldman shares an update to the University community regarding developments related to federal immigration policies.

Memo: Memorandum from Pamela Webb and JoonHyung Cho

January 29, 2025 – Pamela Webb and JoonHyung Cho share an update to the research community regarding developments related to federally-sponsored research projects.

EGMS Platform to Retire in April 2025

November 21, 2024 – On April 15, 2025, EGMS will be fully retired and information remaining in the system will no longer be accessible in its current form.

UMN Joins Med Tech Consortium, Gains Access to New DoD Funding

May 10, 2023 – Membership in MTEC entitles UMN PIs to apply for DoD funding that is open only to members. Past awards have ranged from $50K to $25M.

Fellowship or Training Grant Childcare Reimbursement

Aug 11, 2022 – Requirements for reimbursement on child-care costs up to $2,500 per budget period for full-time NIH-funded trainees (appointed on T32, TL1, TU2, or T90 grants) and fellows (on F31, F32, F33, or F34 grants).

SPA/OCA On-Campus/Remote Work Arrangements after August 2, 2021

Jul 22, 2021 – An update on Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA) and Office of Cost Analysis (OCA)'s on-campus and remote work arrangements beginning August 2, 2021.

Effort reporting: a Cautionary Tale

Oct 2, 2020 – A recent federal Department of Justice settlement with Scripps Institute reminds all UMN researchers of the importance of careful and accurate effort reporting on sponsored projects.

Regional Webinar on Research Security on October 7

Sep 25, 2020 – The University of Minnesota will host a regional webinar on research security Wednesday, October 7, 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. (CDT) featuring a presentation by Dr. Kelvin Droegemeier, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) called “Enhancing the Security and Integrity of America’s Research Enterprise.”

Pamela Webb Elected Board Chair of Council on Government Relations

Jan 28, 2020 – In November 2019, Pamela Webb, associate vice president for research, began serving as the chair of the Council on Government Relations (COGR) board of directors.

New NIH Guidance on Foreign and Domestic Activities

Sep 13, 2019 – On September 13, 2019, Vice President for Research Christopher J. Cramer and Associate Vice President for Research Pamela Webb sent the following memo to the research community at the University of Minnesota.

FY20 F&A Rate Agreement Announced

Aug 28, 2019 – The Office of Cost Analysis is pleased to announce that the University has successfully completed negotiations with the federal government for a new four-year facilities and administration (F&A) rate agreement.

City of Minneapolis Master Agreement

Mar 6, 2019 – A recently executed Master Agreement between the City of Minneapolis and University of Minnesota covers the period November 1, 2018 through December 31, 2023.

NIH Letter: Harassment and Discrimination Protections

Dec 14, 2018 – The Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action released a letter that describes the University's commitment to ensuring that proper policies, procedures and oversight are in place to prevent discriminatory practices.

New F&A Rate for Industry-Funded Clinical Trials

Oct 8, 2018 – Effective January of 2019, new rates for facilities and administration (also called ""F&A"" or indirect costs) costs for Business and Industry funded Clinical Trials.

FY2019 Fringe Benefit Rates

May 16, 2018 – The University of Minnesota Office of Budget and Finance has reached an agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) on the FY19 fringe benefit rates.

NSF Pilot Announcement

Apr 23, 2017 – A letter the National Science Foundation (NSF) will initiate a new pilot requiring the use of a spreadsheet template for identifying Collaborators and Other Affiliations information.

FY2018 Fringe Benefit Rates

Apr 10, 2017 – The University of Minnesota Office of Budget and Finance has reached an agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) on the FY18 fringe benefit rates.

FDP Pilot Add Additional Institutions & Changes to Use of Subrecipient Commitment Forms

Sep 26, 2016 – Updated information regarding subrecepient commitment forms.

Tool to Calculate Stepped Increases in F&A Rates

Jul 7, 2016 – A new tool to calculate split F&A rates is available.

Change to Internal Deadline for Proposal Submissions

Nov 5, 2015 – 3 Days in Advance SPA deadline for all proposals - effective January 4, 2016.

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