Dear colleagues,
Last week, I received many expressions of concern and uncertainty with respect to ongoing changes that affect the major federal funding agencies that support our research enterprise, including NIH, NSF, DOD and more.
Two prominent actions that have been widely reported are the HHS/NIH Suspension of Communications and Study Sections through February 1st, and an Executive Order related to DEI. Related to this, there is also a temporary pause on new NIH awards and ongoing changes to certain federal Program Announcements. A valuable summary of recent transition actions that may impact research at universities such as ours was posted recently on the website of the Association of American Universities (AAU).
That said, there is also much that we do not yet know.
My counterpart at the University of Michigan, Skip Lupia (who is also a UR alum), wrote to his research community at the end of last week and noted that “the start of a new presidential administration traditionally brings change to the policies and priorities of our nation’s federal agencies.” He went on to add that such changes affect all those who receive funding from, or partner with, those federal agencies.
As an institution, we have established a process to monitor and review these transition actions, including recent executive actions from the new administration, as well as other changes that may affect our research programs, and related activities. We are also working in close concert with our Office of Government and Community Relations, and with the national organizations that represent the interests of major research universities such as ours, including the AAU and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
Our University’s mission is to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create—and Make the World Ever Better. Research is at the core of that mission and fuels the innovation, creativity and new knowledge that saves lives, improves the human condition, generates new technologies, and drives economic growth. As valued members of our research family, you make that happen. It is your hard work, energy and commitment that results in positive change, every single day.
We will continue to assess the situation and keep you updated as new information becomes available, and we will provide guidance to help you navigate any applicable changes as they occur. Our Office of Research and Project Administration can help address any questions you may have, related to federal grant submissions, reports and other matters such as no-cost extension (NCE) requests. It’s important to note that, even during times when study sections and communications with NIH staff are suspended, grant submission and reporting deadlines remain in place (unless explicitly paused or changed). If you have additional comments, we welcome your input at SrVPforResearch@rochester.edu.
I have long felt grateful to be part of the amazing and deeply resilient research family here at the University of Rochester. As my colleague, Paige Lawrence, recently wrote: “the best thing about working here – is being able to work with such wonderful, dedicated, kind and creative people.” Thank you for what you do and for who you are.
Sincerely,
Steve
Stephen Dewhurst, PhD
Vice President for Research
University of Rochester