Impacts of 2025 Federal Executive Orders and Directives

Many federal agencies are updating their policies and solicitations in response to recent White House Executive Orders. Some agencies have been providing updates, and there is a lot of speculation as to what the changes will mean. We know that many UC Berkeley investigators have questions.

UCOP and UC Berkeley leadership are monitoring these changes carefully. We will update this web page as we learn more.

Please monitor the situation diligently, but with patience. It is not unheard of for federal agencies to delay program deadlines and pause funding decisions when there is an administration change, to ensure that agency programs are aligned with administration policy.

Recent Executive Orders and agency directives

The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) has developed a resource page that compiles recent Executive Orders, agency directives, and other information that is relevant to upcoming and existing federal contracts and grants. See: 2025 Administration Transition Information & Resources.

 

What you can do

Pre-submission and pre-award:

  • As proposal deadlines approach, check program websites and solicitations for any updates on due dates  or requirements to ensure that your proposal is compliant.
  • Award decisions may be delayed, so monitor program websites and FAQs for any news.
  • Consider signing up for alerts from the agencies you apply to. Also sign up for Sponsored Projects Office (SPO) news and updates.

Existing awards:

  • Continue to work on your grants and contracts unless you are notified directly by the agency or SPO. Do not stop work only on the basis of rumor or internal agency guidance. Agencies are required to notify us if there will be changes to your funding once the grant or contract is in place.
  • Try to remain in contact with your program officers, but be aware that some may have a pause on communications.
  • Monitor policy updates from the federal agency overseeing your grant for any updates on funding or compliance requirements. See also the COGR resource page linked above.
  • If PIs or RAs receive any award modifications or other notices, please forward them to the SPO as soon as possible at spoawards@berkeley.edu so that these can be reviewed and processed quickly. In particular, notify spoawards@berkeley.edu if you receive a stop work order for an award. A stop work order typically means that all project work needs to stop immediately and no expenses can be incurred on the project as of the effective date of the notice.
  • Closely monitor obligated budget balances to avoid deficits while awaiting future obligations. Anticipated funding remains subject to availability of funds and should not be considered guaranteed.
  • Continue to meet existing deadlines for technical reports or other deliverables.
  • If you have questions about your awards, please contact your SPO Contract and Grant Officer.

Gathering impacts

  • In collaboration with the Office of Government and Community Relations, the VC Research Office is gathering examples of impacts that recent White House Executive Orders and agency directives are having on campus research. If you experience interruptions to your research, please submit them to us through this form.