OVPR Research Updates
May 2025

Please continue to monitor the OSP Federal Research Updates webpage and the GW Federal Updates webpage for the most up-to-date information and guidance.

In some cases, federal entities are communicating directly with investigators, sending surveys, questionnaires and data requests. If you receive any communication from a federal agency pertaining to a sponsored award, please immediately forward that communication to the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) at osr@gwu.edu. OSP will provide guidance and communicate with the requesting agency.

Some federal sponsors are requesting additional justifications for reimbursable expenses and these requests may be sent directly to the investigator. Promptly forward any request for expense details to GCASinvoice@gwu.edu. Individuals should not provide expense details directly to the requesting agency. Grants and Contracts Accounting Services (GCAS) will review all requests for financial reporting and follow up with sponsors for additional guidance.

On May 2, the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced a reduced indirect cost rate that applies to new NSF awards and subawards. In response, the Association of American Universities (AAU) and several of its member institutions, and several other organizations, filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for Massachusetts seeking to halt the reduction. Similar proposals at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Department of Energy (DOE) are on hold pending judicial review. GW investigators should continue to utilize the university’s federally-negotiated indirect cost rates as they build and submit proposals to NSF, NIH and DOE. Any request by a sponsor to apply a rate different than GW’s federally-negotiated rate will require review and approval by a GW authorized representative.

GW's first-ever InnovationFest in the Smith Center arena. (Lily Speredelozzi/GW Today)

The university’s inaugural InnovationFest brought together scholars and inventors from all schools to present their unique projects. Read more in GW Today.

This summer, the GW Center for Global Mental Health Equity will host a weeklong Problem Management+ (PM+) training. Developed by the World Health Organization, PM+ is a five-session, evidence-based intervention designed to support those who experience mild-to-moderate psychological distress. During this training, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the PM+ model and develop skills that will amplify your role and reach within the GW community. This opportunity is open to all GW faculty, staff and students. No previous mental health experience or licensure is necessary.

The 2025 Milken Institute School of Public Health Summer Institute is open for enrollment. This five-day program offers an opportunity to gain practical expertise, refine your analytical skills, network with like-minded global professionals, and broaden your understanding of pressing health challenges. GW students and staff may register through GWeb. GW employees eligible for tuition remission may apply this benefit to these courses. The GWSPH Summer Institute will be held online from June 2-13, 2025. 

On May 5, an Executive Order titled “Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research” and related Fact Sheet was released with a stated purpose “to improve the safety and security of biological research in the United States and around the world” by ending federal funding in “foreign nations deemed to have insufficient research oversight” such as China and Iran and ending federal funding “that could pose a threat to American public health, public safety, or national security. The EO also “[p]rohibits Federal funding from contributing to foreign research likely to cause another pandemic” and “reduce the potential for lab-related incidents involving gain-of-function research.” GW leadership is reviewing the EO to determine if changes to current policies and practices are necessary at this time. Investigators with questions about biosafety protocols and reviews should contact the Office of Research Safety team at labsafety@gwu.edu.

DOE has mandated a new research security training for all new awards and new proposals submitted to DOE on or after May 1, 2025. Individuals “who contribute in a substantive, meaningful way to the development or execution of the scope of work” on DOE-funded projects are required to complete the training. At a minimum, this includes the principal investigator/project director(s) and any co-principal investigator/project director(s). DOE awardees and proposers should review the Office of Research Integrity and Compliance website for additional details about PI/PD responsibilities and accessing the required training.

On May 1, NIH issued an update to NIH policies and practices related to foreign subawards. GW leadership is reviewing the notice closely and the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) team will reach out to principal investigators (PIs) with affected awards to schedule meetings to discuss the impact and next steps. PIs should continue working according to the existing terms of their awards unless they have received updated guidance from OSP. NIH anticipates implementing the new award structure by no later than September 30, 2025. PIs working on NIH proposals for submission ahead of that date should contact OSP for additional guidance. Investigators should promptly forward any federal communications, including those related to foreign subawards, to OSP at osr@gwu.edu.

On April 21, NIH issued a notice requiring grant recipients to certify that they do not, and will not, operate any programs that advance or promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA), or discriminatory equity ideology in violation of federal anti-discrimination laws; and that they do not engage in and will not engage in boycotts of Israeli companies or with companies doing business in Israel. There are no changes to OSP’s compliance review process for accepting NIH awards, supplements, renewals, etc. Additional guidance or confirmation of compliance with federal laws and regulations will be provided if OSP, schools or principal investigators (PIs) determine it necessary.

On April 30, NIH announced an accelerated implementation timeline for its 2024 NIH Public Access Policy. The 2024 Public Access Policy is now effective for manuscripts accepted for publication on or after July 1, 2025. As a reminder, the new policy requires immediate open access to any papers resulting from NIH-funded research. If you have questions about open access publishing or research data management and sharing, please contact a research librarian for assistance.

Technology Maturation Awards (TMAs) are designed to help promising but yet unlicensed technologies attract external partners. TMAs support efforts to demonstrate the commercial potential of innovations through proof-of-concept, prototyping, technology development and/or scale-up work. Successful TMA projects receive up to $50,000 to generate the validation necessary to attract experienced licensees. Visit the Technology Commercialization Office website for additional details and instructions to apply. The submission deadline is Sunday, June 1, 2025.

Hanover Research produces a bimonthly Grants Calendar tailored to specific funding interests (e.g., early career, non-federal research, etc.). Hanover's recent calendar reviews upcoming funding opportunities for early career researchers. Short-term targets with set deadlines are included alongside longer-term opportunities expected to occur across the next year and beyond. View Hanover's Early Career Research Grants Calendar. Sign-up to receive future Hanover calendars and webinar announcements.

May 19-22, 2025  |  9:00 AM–5:00 PM ET Each Day  |  Science & Engineering Hall

Thursday, May 22, 2025  |  12:00 PM ET  |  Online

Thursday, May 29, 2025  |  12:00–1:00 PM ET  |  Online

Tuesday, June 3, 2025  |  3:00–5:00 PM ET  |  Hybrid

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