Office of the President

The university is closely monitoring the implementation of the new policy announced by the NIH: “Supporting Fairness and Originality in NIH Research Applications.” This policy states that: 

• NIH will only accept six new, renewal, resubmission, or revision applications from an individual Principal Investigator/Program Director or Multiple Principal Investigator for all council rounds in a calendar year
• NIH will not consider applications that are either substantially developed by AI, or contain sections substantially developed by AI, to be original ideas of applicants.

This policy applies to all activity codes except T activity codes and R13 Conference Grant Applications.

PIs should monitor and track their progress towards these submission limits. All proposals should continue to adhere to existing institutional submission guidelines.

As we learn more about this new NIH policy and other federal guidelines, we will continue to provide timely updates and guidance through email communication and on our federal funding updates webpage.

On June 17, 2025, a judge for the District Court of Massachusetts issued a nationwide temporary restraining order blocking the implementation of the proposed 15% cap on Department of Defense indirect research funds. This nationwide temporary restraining order is significant but is not permanent. The OVPRI will continue to monitor any future filings for this case.

The NSF has further delayed Implementation of Standard 15% Indirect Cost Rate until 6/20/2025. The original NSF policy notice to implement a standard 15% indirect cost rate (released 5/2/2025) stated, “The policy statement shares, in part, that the “NSF will apply a standard indirect cost rate not to exceed 15% to all grants and cooperative agreements awarded to IHEs for which indirect costs are allowable.” This delay in implementation is in response to a deferment request until after 5/23 hearing. 

On May 14, 2025, the Department of Defense issued a statement outlining the pursuit of implementing a 15% Indirect Cost Cap on Assistance Awards to Institutions of Higher Education. The policy states the DoD “will pursue a lower cap on indirect cost rates for all new financial assistance awards to institutions of higher education, consistent with federal regulation.” This F&A rate will apply to new financial assistance awards, in accordance with the policy guidance that is forthcoming from the DOD (expected June 4, 2025).  In addition, DOD Components are directed to renegotiate existing awards to incorporate the 15% rate within 6 months.

As with other instances of policy changes during the past several months, we are examining this  potential impact on the VCU research enterprise. 

Principal investigators do not, and will not, need to change rates on current or future projects; the Division of Sponsored Programs and/or Grants and Contracts Accounting will adjust F&A rates, as necessary. If PIs received a request from DoD to renegotiate the F&A rate on an existing award, you should reach out to your sponsored program team in the OVPRI (find your team here) for guidance. For clarity, all proposals should be submitted in accordance with our existing negotiated rate agreement.

As we learn more about this new DOD F&A rate and other federal policies, we will continue to provide timely updates and guidance through email communication and on our federal funding updates webpage.

Thank you,

Tina Cunningham, J.D.
Associate vice president for research administration

The following message was sent to VCU/VCU Health research faculty and staff:

Dear colleagues,

Earlier today, the NIH issued an Updated NIH Processes for No-Cost Extensions. The notice states that the agency has temporarily disabled the No-Cost Extension functionality in eRA Commons. NIH staff have been directed to “review all existing grants and cooperative agreements to ensure that NIH awards do not fund off-mission activities or projects.” Disabling the NCE functionality allows for a more in-depth review of each extension request. 

NCE’s must now be submitted as a prior approval request in eRA Commons. 

Researchers will need to create an administrative action (AA) in the RAMS-SPOT award record for all NCE requests. Please review our Admin Action Get Started Guide for what should be included in a prior approval NCE.

Researchers who are planning on submitting an NCE for their NIH award are advised to do so well in advance of their anniversary date. 

Please direct any questions to the sponsored program team in the OVPRI (find your team here).

You can find more information about federal research issues here. Information about other federal issues can be found here. 

Thank you,

Tina Cunningham, J.D.
Associate vice president for research administration

The NIH has released an Updated NIH Policy on Foreign Subawards. The updated policy states, in part, that the NIH "will not issue awards to domestic or foreign entities that include a subaward to a foreign entity.” This applies to new, renewal and non-competing continuation awards, effective immediately. VCU investigators with affected awards should discuss options like renegotiation or deferral with their program officers as upcoming NOAs are expected to reflect defunding of foreign subawards.