2025 Federal Changes

This page will be updated as new information is provided. Researchers, please send federal agency communications you receive or any questions specifically related to awards to ospa@uky.edu and vpr@uky.edu.

Indirect Payments 

We are aware of the NIH guidance issued Feb. 7, 2025, with respect to indirect payments. We are monitoring this issue and analyzing its potential impact. We will keep you informed and update you as this issue develops. Please continue the important work you do on behalf of our Commonwealth. https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-25-068.html  

NIH Study Sections Resume

On Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) resumed some study sections to review grant applications. An NIH internal notice announced that as of Monday, Feb. 3 advisory councils are now permitted to hold closed sessions to discuss and approve funding for research projects, but not open sessions involving public presentations or discussions. See STAT article.

eRA Commons Extension Unavailable

Feb. 5, 2025: We typically extend NIH awards using the "Extension" option in eRA Commons. The extension option is currently not available. We checked several awards that should be eligible for an extension and the extension option wasn’t available. eRA Commons confirmed that further guidance is pending. In the meantime, we need to submit No-Cost Extension (NCE) requests directly to the NIH Grants Management Specialist (GMS). Please work with CGS and OSPA post-award staff to submit NCE requests via this new mechanism.

General Award Guidance

Unless you have received a notice to suspend activities for a specific award from a sponsor, you can continue your research activities.