Federal Updates

A message from university leaders on National Institutes of Health (NIH)’s announced reduction in how it would provide funding to schools like UW–Madison for the expenses associated with doing grant-funded scientific and medical research. Update: A temporary restraining order was granted in the case of 22 states, including Wisconsin, filing suit against the NIH and its 15% funding cap on indirect costs. The court action blocks the changes. A hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 21.

The University of Wisconsin–Madison is one of the world’s leading engines of biomedical research. This proposed change to NIH funding – UW–Madison’s largest source of federal support – will significantly disrupt vital research activity and delay lifesaving discoveries and cures related to cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and much more.

We want to make you aware of an important change announced by National Institutes of Health on Friday, Feb. 7. The NIH has implemented a standardized indirect cost (IDC) rate of 15% across all NIH grants, replacing individually negotiated rates. This applies to both new grants and existing grants retroactively to the date of issuance of this guidance.

There continues to be a great degree of upheaval at the federal level, even in the last few days, that has a direct impact on our research enterprise. A significant positive development came Friday evening in the form of a temporary restraining order (TRO) related to the Jan. 27 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memorandum that said that federal agencies cannot pause funding obligations while the review is ongoing.

A message from the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs to instructional staff to address some questions about instructors’ rights and responsibilities in the context of federal immigration actions.

The following message was sent to deans, directors, ADs for research, Administrative Council and HR leaders on Jan. 29. Vice Chancellors and Deans, Yesterday, Chancellor Mnookin, Provost Isbell, and Vice Chancellor for Research Dorota Grejner-Brzezinska …

Chancellor Mnookin, Provost Isbell and Vice Chancellor for Research Brzezinska share a message related to federal agency funding.