Messages from Texas A&M Leadership

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty, Staff and Students at all Texas A&M University locations.

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

As you may be aware, the possibility of a federal government shutdown is becoming increasingly likely as the current continuing resolution expires at midnight tonight, Oct. 1. Our Government Relations (GR) team has been monitoring legislative conditions closely and continues to work with members of Congress and their staff, informing them of the negative impacts that a government shutdown would have on university operations, research, students and campus life. Additionally, GR and other frontline units continue to coordinate closely to determine the possible impacts a shutdown may have on the university.

Currently, the university is operating on a normal basis. We will continue using available funds in support of work related to federally funded research contracts and grants. If there is a government shutdown, the initial short-term impacts are anticipated to be minimal, and we will monitor them closely. Students receiving federal financial aid should not be affected in the short term, as aid has already been disbursed for the semester.

We have created a webpage for updated information on the possible shutdown as it approaches, impacts of the shutdown on Texas A&M University if it occurs and updates on ongoing efforts.

• For all university faculty and staff, please report any potential impacts to you or your work through your supervisor and through our feedback mechanism.
• For research-related questions, please reach out to your contact with Sponsored Research Services.
• For all Texas A&M System agencies paired with an academic program, please report any potential impacts through your agency leadership team.
• For students with questions or concerns about a specific situation, please reach out to your academic advisor, Aggie One Stop or any of our other student services support offered through the Division of Student Affairs.

Please visit the Government Relations website for the most current information on the possible federal government shutdown. I understand how this can feel destabilizing, but rest assured that if a shutdown is not averted, we are ready to quickly mobilize appropriate leadership across the university to address any issues that may arise.

Thank you for all you do every day for our university, our state, nation and world.

Sincerely,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students at all Texas A&M University locations.

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

In alignment with my commitment earlier this year, I want to take some time to update you on policy changes that affect all of us. On Sept. 1, a variety of laws passed by the State Legislature went into effect that impact our institution. While we are awaiting additional guidance from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) or other governmental entities regarding several of the laws that went into effect, we have taken action on those we can. We are committed to upholding state and federal laws, and the following updates, while not exhaustive, are meant to help ensure your awareness and support compliance with changing policies.

Faculty Advising Bodies and Curriculum

In order to comply with Senate Bill 37, The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents voted last week to revise System policy and establish a Faculty Advisory Council with a maximum of 60 members for our university. The former Faculty Senate ceased activity on Aug. 31, and this new Faculty Advisory Council will begin after Nov. 1, 2025. I want to thank all our Faculty Senate members for their service over the years, and I want to be clear, as has been the Board, that we are committed to faculty engagement. The new policy allows for that engagement while meeting the expectations of our state. A draft university rule was shared at the former Faculty Senate’s final meeting, and it is moving through the approval process. Additionally, we are working to establish interim mechanisms for faculty advice on curricular decisions until the new Faculty Advisory Council membership is determined. We will keep you informed about this effort.

Research Security

Texas A&M has a strong track record and commitment to research security; it is essential to the success of our research enterprise. We remain vigilant and coordinate closely with the Texas A&M System on this front. Several laws focused on hardening security efforts are now in effect. The state is in the process of naming committee members to the newly created Higher Education Research Security Council, in compliance with Senate Bill 1273. We have reviewed and updated our security practices to ensure compliance with House Bill 127, which aims to protect institutions from foreign adversaries. We are finalizing a process to address the student organization training and certification requirements and will share more information on that soon. We remain dedicated to continuing our commitment to the highest standards of research security.

Foreign Land Ownership

Senate Bill 17 placed additional restrictions on land ownership in Texas by citizens from certain foreign countries, and we know many of our international faculty and staff have questions. Faculty Affairs and the Division of Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness (HROE) are working to provide more information on the law to employees.

Free College Application Week

In compliance with Senate Bill 2231, beginning this fall, Texas A&M University will be waiving admission application fees for Texas residents who apply through ApplyTexas to undergraduate programs during Free College Application Week, Oct. 13-19. We will promote this opportunity to Texans during that time.

Student Expression on Campus

The updated university rule relating to Senate Bill 2972, which creates various new conditions for expressive activities among students on campus, is currently undergoing review by System administration. The university expects that the Board of Regents will consider the draft rule for approval at their November meeting.

Governmental Vital Statistics Data Collection

In compliance with House Bill 229, which requires that governmental entities only collect vital statistics that reflect two biological sexes, we have a process in place to ensure all institutional surveys are compliant. As a reminder, if you’re conducting a survey to collect institutional data, you should follow the Survey Approval Process. If you have questions about institutional surveys, you may reach out to sabs@tamu.edu.

Remote Work and Telework

The 89th Legislature passed bills related to remote work and telework that impact institutions of higher education, including Senate Bill 2615 and House Bill 5196. The A&M System Office has updated System Regulation 33.06.01 (Flexible Work Arrangements) to ensure compliance with both bills. The university is currently in the process of fully updating our Standard Administrative Procedures (SAPs) for both staff and faculty to ensure compliance with the System Regulation and, in turn, the new law. All existing Alternative Work Location (AWL) arrangements were terminated on Aug. 31, and all renewed or new AWL arrangements will be in accordance with the revised System Regulation. In the meantime, reach out to Faculty Affairs or HROE if you have questions.

Artificial Intelligence Training Program for Employees

As a result of House Bill 3512, requiring state employees to undergo AI training, the A&M System has identified a third party training program that satisfies legal requirements. Once the contract has been executed and signed, the System will begin incorporating the training course across all System agencies.

We appreciate your interest and collaboration as we navigate all of these changes and remain committed to ensuring a transparent and efficient implementation process. We are available to share information and answer your questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you for all you do for Texas A&M today and every day.

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students at all Texas A&M University locations.

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

As promised, I will continue to share relevant updates about changing policies as necessary and wanted to share a few updates.

Our Government Relations team has been keeping the leadership team updated on the FY26 appropriations process and where things stand. While there is still a long way to go in that process and the likelihood of a continuing resolution to maintain current funding levels through the fall is a near certainty, we are seeing both House and Senate funding levels fairly close, if not identical, to current funding levels in many of our key federal agency partners. Congress is currently in August recess and will return to Washington, D.C., the first week of September to continue working on FY26 appropriations, including discussions on Facilities and Administrative costs, among many other items. Again, the appropriations process has a long road ahead as we await numbers for the National Institutes of Health and Department of Education from the House and many other steps in the process, but below is a quick snapshot of what we have seen to date.

National Science Foundation (current funding: $9.06B):

• House: $7B
• Senate: $9B

NOAA (current funding: $6.18B):

• House: $5.8B
• Senate: $6.1B

NASA (current funding: $24.8B):

• House: $24.8B
• Senate: $24.8B

U.S. Department of Education (Institute of Education Sciences – current funding: $793.1B):

• House: TBD
• Senate: $793.1B

National Institutes of Health (current funding: $47.7B):

• House: TBD
• Senate: $47B

Additionally, we are aware of the executive order, “Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking,” that states moving forward, senior agency appointees will be responsible for reviewing funding opportunity announcements and discretionary grants to ensure that they are consistent with agency priorities and the national interest. This applies to federal grants broadly — not just research-related grants. We have not received any additional or agency-specific guidance related to this order but are reviewing it closely to understand any impacts to our proposal submission process, if any. If you have questions about a current or future research proposal, please reach out to Sponsored Research Services (SRS).

I also want to take this opportunity to share that as it relates to research awards, SRS is processing new and continuing awards with regular consistency as we head into the fall semester. Please continue identifying and proposing new research that will help us build a brighter, safer world for the people of Texas, the nation and beyond. The university continues to tell your stories of impact to the world through the Texas A&M Stories site, AP Campus Insights program* and many other channels.

As always, I encourage you to check the federal policy updates webpage for the latest, and researchers may continue to access guidance for Principal Investigators through the Division of Research. We remain available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you for all you do for Texas A&M today and every day.

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

*Link is no longer active and has been removed.

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students at all Texas A&M University locations.

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

As the impacts of flooding continue to be felt across parts of our state this week, we are keeping our fellow Texans and Aggies in our hearts, including both those who have been impacted and those who are serving on the frontlines. We hope that you all remain safe and encourage everyone to utilize the university’s support resources as necessary.

Since the U.S. Congress will be in recess throughout August and the state legislature is not set to discuss any legislation related to higher education at this time, these updates will be transitioning to an “as-needed” basis. I hope that these emails have been helpful throughout the past six months, and we appreciate your dedication to remaining informed about ongoing changes in our federal and state governments. I only have a few updates for you this week.

As the special session kicks off on July 21 for 30 days, the state legislature will discuss 18 specific topics, including several surrounding disaster preparedness and response. Texas A&M University System agencies and our faculty have tremendous expertise, and our Government Relations team is ensuring that legislators and their staff know they can count on Texas A&M University subject matter experts to inform these important policy discussions. These deliberations are happening at the federal level as well. Just this week, Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon, Texas State Climatologist, Director of the Southern Regional Climate Center and Regents Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, offered his expertise to the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Subcommittee on Environment, regarding the harnessing of innovative technologies to enhance weather forecasting for the protection of lives and property.

The Joint Association Group (JAG) on Indirect Costs held a town hall on July 15 about the new Financial Accountability in Research model proposed to Congress last week. University leadership participated in the town hall to gather information. The Association of American Universities has created a Frequently Asked Questions page on behalf of the JAG that addresses many of the concerns shared by universities and members of Congress. As this proposal is discussed, we will continue to engage with legislators in support of appropriate facilities and administrative funding for our research endeavors.

Both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate continue to work on FY26 appropriations and will continue that work throughout the summer and fall. Our Government Relations team is closely monitoring and actively engaged in the appropriations process while remaining connected with legislators and their staff. Together, we are working to ensure legislators recognize the deep impact of your research on our nation and world.

As we move these emails to as needed, I encourage you to check the federal policy updates webpage for the latest, and researchers may continue to access guidance for Principal Investigators through the Division of Research. We remain available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you for all you do for Texas A&M today and every day.

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students at all Texas A&M University locations.

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

This has been a difficult week for Texans everywhere. For some of us, the impacts of the flooding are deeply personal but for all of us they are deeply felt, and we stand together always. I’m grateful for the way our university, The Texas A&M University System and the people who comprise our institution have stepped in and up to support the response and recovery efforts taking place or added expertise through media for the general public to understand a weather event like this. From students to faculty and staff who are helping, thank you, and for those who are hurting, we’re here for you. As President Welsh emphasized earlier this week, we have a variety of support resources available; please use them.

My updates are limited this week. First, I want to provide some clarity around the U.S. House Resolution 1 (H.R. 1), also known as the “The One Big Beautiful Bill,” as we have received several questions since its passage and signature on July 4. It’s important to understand that this bill is separate from the appropriations process that is ongoing.

While largely a tax bill, H.R. 1 included a few measures that impact higher education, such as changes to the endowment tax (limited to private institutions with enrollments over 3,000 students), student loan repayment processes and programs, Pell grant access and changes related to low-performing degree programs. This bill does not determine program or research-related funding for agencies such as the National Science Foundation or National Institutes of Health. Those funding directives are made through the appropriations process, which is underway in both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate and will continue to play out over the next several months.

Our Government Relations team is monitoring all of this legislation closely and is actively engaged with lawmakers and their staff. We anticipate that the soon-to-be-released appropriations bills in the House, which fund some of our key federal agency partners, will closely align with President Trump’s proposed budget released in May. Early indications on funding levels from the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies are more encouraging than those we anticipate from the House. As in all appropriations processes, those measures will go through changes as they move through Congress. To learn more, you can find a brief guide to the federal budget and appropriations process on the American Council on Education’s (ACE) website. We are collaborating with ACE, as well as the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities and the Association of American Universities to ensure lawmakers understand the impacts of research funding and will provide you with updates regarding any significant developments.

Secondly, you may recall that on June 4, 2025, a federal court order invalidated the portion of an existing Texas law that allows students who do not have a valid immigration status to pay in-state tuition at universities if they otherwise met the eligibility requirements of the statute. The court’s order requires that the university take steps to ensure only individuals who are lawfully present in the United States and who meet the residency criteria of Texas Education Code 54.051(m) and 54.052(a) are eligible for in-state tuition. Based on guidance from the Texas A&M System and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, we are fully implementing the requirements of the court’s order for students beginning this fall.

We are in direct contact with the potentially affected students who need to provide new documentation to confirm their eligibility for an in-state tuition rate or begin paying a non-resident tuition rate. If you receive inquiries from students, please direct them toward Aggie One Stop, as the team there can best help them.

Finally, earlier today, the Joint Associations Group (JAG) on Indirect Costs, composed of various higher education organizations, released their recommendation for an “updated, more efficient, transparent research funding model.” You will recall that we provided input to their models alongside many other institutions. With the recommendation now finalized, university leadership will be gathering more information during a JAG town hall next week about the new Financial Accountability in Research (FAIR) Model. We will remain engaged with legislators as this moves forward to support appropriate facilities and administrative funding for our research endeavors.

We remain committed to keeping you updated on any changing guidelines, practices and policies of the federal and state governments, as well as how these changes may impact our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage, and researchers may continue to access guidance for Principal Investigators through the Division of Research. If you have questions or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you for all you do for Texas A&M today and every day.

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students at all Texas A&M University locations.

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

As we head into Independence Day weekend, I wish you all a happy Fourth of July and hope you find time to enjoy and celebrate the holiday with friends and family. I will keep this week’s update short.

We are actively moving forward with planning the necessary next steps to address legislation passed by the Texas State Legislature. Each new law that affects our institution will have a lead responsible for facilitating the planning and implementation of any necessary changes. As I’ve mentioned previously, a working group led by Joseph P. Pettibon II, Senior Vice President for Strategy and Business Services, has already been established to support the implementation of Senate Bill 37, relating to university governance. Other working groups may be established as needed for other laws.

As the volume of stop-work orders and terminations for federal research projects continues to slow each week, we continue to promote your impactful research to policymakers and through media to advocate for the sustained federal funding needed to maintain it. We also are focused on advancing new and existing projects with our federal partners. We have a long history of working with the federal government to solve some of the nation’s toughest challenges, and we will continue to do so. I’m proud of your work to deliver solutions and grow the body of knowledge on issues that affect all of us. Thank you, and keep up the great work.

We remain committed to keeping you updated on any shifting guidelines, practices and policies of the federal and state governments, as well as how these changes may impact our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage, and researchers may continue to access guidance for Principal Investigators through the Division of Research. If you have questions or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you for all you do for Texas A&M today and every day.

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students at all Texas A&M University locations.

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

As President Welsh wrote earlier this week, our highest priority is the safety and well-being of our Texas A&M University community. I am proud of the response of our campus to protect and support our colleagues in Qatar. While we have resumed regular operations for the campus, we recognize individual circumstances of employees, students and their families vary, and we are supporting flexible approaches to teaching and learning during this time. Our colleagues in Qatar are working diligently to support the students there as they navigate the challenges of winding down the campus on top of regional conflict. I thank them for their resilience, grace and dedication. We will continue to keep you all informed about any updates.

We have just a few updates this week as state legislation became law and federal policy changes continued.

State Legislation Approved

This past weekend, Governor Abbott signed over 1,000 pieces of legislation into law. Included among these were Senate Bill 1 (the state budget), Senate Bill 17 (relating to the purchase of land by foreign individuals), Senate Bill 37 (relating to faculty senates and university governance), Senate Bill 2615 (relating to remote work policies for institutions of higher education), and House Bill 5196 (relating to telework policies for state agencies). We are closely monitoring the implementation process and will be communicating with you regarding these changes.

We also are aware that on June 23, the governor announced a special session, limited to 30 days, to begin on July 21, naming several topics for legislative consideration. Currently, none of the proposed topics relate to higher education.

Facilities and Administrative Cost Rate Update

On June 20, a U.S. District Court found that the National Science Foundation’s 15% Facilities and Administrative Cost (F&A) rate cap was “invalid, arbitrary and capricious, and contrary to law.” While the administration may choose to appeal the ruling, the rate cap is not in effect currently. As I have mentioned previously, the group of higher education organizations that make up the Joint Associations Group (JAG) was soliciting feedback on their two proposed FAIR models for calculating indirect cost reimbursements. On June 23, The Texas A&M University System submitted our feedback, and we expect the final model to be determined by the JAG and presented to Congress before the end of the month. Please note that this is only a proposal, and we anticipate more changes in the process as legislators debate this model.

International Student Guidance Updates

We are aware of and communicating with international students about changes announced on June 18 by the Department of State that they are expanding their screening and vetting process for student and exchange visitor visa applicants. If you have concerns or questions, the International Student and Scholar Services office is the best resource for helping our international students and scholars, while international faculty and staff can reach out to Immigration Affairs. Thank you to both of these offices for their outstanding efforts to keep our international community informed and supported.

New Consortium to Create Accreditation Model

Also, we are aware that the Texas A&M System announced that it has joined five other public university systems to establish the Commission for Public Higher Education to develop a new accreditation model for public higher education institutions. We will be working closely with the System on this as we position our university to thrive in the future, continuing to deliver world-class education and research. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

We will continue to keep you updated on any shifting guidelines, practices and policies of the federal and state governments, as well as how these changes may impact our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage, and researchers may continue to access guidance for Principal Investigators through the Division of Research. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students at all Texas A&M University locations.

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

I hope that you are finding some time in the heat of the summer to rest and recharge with friends and family. I’m pleased to share that Texas A&M University has once again been designated a Hispanic Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution — both for the third year in a row. We are proud of these designations that reflect our service mission and expand our federal options. If you have questions about these and other related opportunities, reach out to Elsa Gonzalez, Assistant Provost for Strategic Educational Partnerships, at elsa@tamu.edu and/or Michael Hardy, Deputy Chief Government Relations Officer and Director of Federal Relations, at mjhardy@tamu.edu.

We have a few updates this week on the state and federal policy front.

Court Decision on In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students

As I mentioned earlier this month, on June 4, Texas settled a court case with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding a state law that permitted undocumented students to receive in-state tuition rates if they met the eligibility requirements of the statute. The U.S. District Court judge declared that the law, as applied to individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States, violates the Supremacy Clause and ordered that the state is now prohibited from enforcing these sections of the Texas Education Code as applied to individuals not lawfully present in the United States. On Wednesday, June 18, we received guidance from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board that the order be implemented beginning this fall. We are working to finalize the next steps based on this guidance with The Texas A&M University System and will be reaching out to potentially affected students soon.

Senate Bill 37 Working Group

In anticipation of SB 37 becoming law, which changes university governance structures related to curriculum decisions and faculty senates, President Welsh has created a working group to prepare for the upcoming changes. This group is led by Joe Pettibon, Senior Vice President for Strategy and Business Services, and has a goal of ensuring a smooth transition to implement changes based on guidance from the Texas A&M System prior to the bill’s fully effective date of Jan. 1, 2026.

Facilities and Administrative (F&A) Cost Rate Update

Following the Department of Defense announcement implementing a 15% F&A cap last week, a group of higher education organizations filed a lawsuit, and a temporary restraining order was put in place by a federal judge. Additionally, we expect the potential for a ruling from a District Court as early as today, June 20, on the National Science Foundation F&A cost rate cap. We are closely monitoring all of the active litigation regarding F&A rates, continuing to engage with the group that is proposing new F&A models, and maintaining current information on the Division of Research’s federal agency specific updates webpage regarding these changes.

Telling Our Story

As we think about these policy updates, I also want to highlight the significant and increasing presence Texas A&M is having on the national stage — highlighting your work and the impact of your research. At Texas A&M, our faculty, staff and students are truly a force for good in so many areas, and others are recognizing it. Just recently, Texas A&M was showcased by Fast Company as one of the Most Innovative Companies — the only university to receive such a distinction alongside innovative titans like Nvidia, YouTube and EA Sports. On the heels of that award, our researchers were recognized by Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas for breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s research. At the same time, faculty are regularly being quoted in national media on topics of national and international importance because our faculty expertise is second to none.

And hot off the press … while Texas A&M was the sixth most recognized and visible public university in the nation last year — measured by public interest, media placements, social media following, web searches and website visitors, among other criteria — American Caldwell announced just today (via its annual Global Visibility Rankings) that Texas A&M has ascended to No. 2 this year among all U.S. public universities, leapfrogging Arizona State University, Berkeley, UCLA and the University of Michigan. Texas A&M moved from No. 21 in the world to No. 13 and No. 8 among all U.S. universities from No. 14 last year, and we remain the most recognized and visible public university in the state of Texas.

I want to thank our marketing and communications teams — through the Division of Marketing and Communications and through our unit communications teams — who are on the frontlines of telling the incredible story of impact our faculty, staff and students have on our state, nation and beyond. I’ve often mentioned how we’re telling that story to members of Congress and their staff. I encourage you to view our federal priorities and research impact webpages to learn more about this work. These are your stories ... and we’re incredibly proud of the work you do every day.

We will continue to keep you updated on any shifting guidelines, practices and policies of the federal and state governments, as well as how these changes may impact our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage, and researchers may continue to access guidance for Principal Investigators through the Division of Research. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students at all Texas A&M University locations.

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

As Congress continues to meet to discuss each federal agency’s budget request and the Governor continues to consider legislation, we understand that there is an overwhelming amount of information to sift through from both levels of government. Our hope is that these weekly messages provide you with information on the key updates that may impact our work so you can continue to pursue our mission of excellence with clarity and confidence. We greatly appreciate your efforts to make our university the best place in the world for research, learning and service.

Federal Budget Process Continues for FY 2026

Throughout the last few weeks, agency leaders have been testifying before Congress to discuss their FY26 budget requests. This follows both the President’s release of his budget last month and federal agencies each publicizing their specific agency request. It’s important to keep in mind that this is not a short process and significant work remains. Texas A&M University officials, both at the university and System levels, are engaging with legislators and staff on the importance of robust federal funding, in addition to Texas A&M’s own federal priorities. Please note that as budget negotiations continue, you can find information regarding the FY26 federal budget on our Federal Budget Updates page.

Hearing on Indirect Costs Lawsuit with National Science Foundation

Previously, the National Science Foundation (NSF) notified institutions of a new Facilities and Administrative (F&A) cost rate of 15% for all new awards on or after May 5. On May 5, a group of higher education organizations, including the Association of American Universities (AAU), the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), all of which we are members, along with several research institutions, filed a lawsuit regarding the rate cap. On May 19, the NSF announced that it was temporarily pausing the 15% cap through June 13 (today) pending a hearing scheduled for today at 2:45 p.m. Eastern Time in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. We are monitoring this lawsuit closely and will update the Federal Policy Changes page of our Government Relations website when a ruling has been made, in addition to any other updates throughout the next week.

Department of Defense Indirect Cost Rate Cap Implementation

On June 12, the Department of Defense (DOD) issued a memo regarding the implementation of a 15% F&A rate cap for DOD research funding conducted at institutions of higher education (IHE). The memo states that all new awards to IHEs will not allow indirect cost rates higher than 15%, effective as of the date of the memo (June 12). For all existing awards, the DOD is directed also to apply the 15% cap on indirect cost rates through renegotiations. Until a renegotiation is completed, existing awards may continue to operate under their originally determined rate, and the new rate is not retroactive to the beginning of the award but must have an effective date that is not later than Nov. 10, 2025. If renegotiations are not completed by Nov. 10, 2025, the DOD is directed to terminate the award. Similar to other rate change announcements, we will continue to monitor this situation closely, and we encourage you to check the interim updates section of the website as new information becomes available. In the meantime, please continue your work as normal. We continue advocating for your research, and we won’t stop. Your work is building a brighter, safer world for the people of Texas, the nation and beyond. If you are planning a submission to DOD, please work directly with Sponsored Research Services (SRS).

Joint Association Working Group Townhall on F&A Rates

On June 12, the Joint Association Working Group (JAG) released its recommendations for a new indirect cost rate model, describing two proposed options for the national research community to consider: Fiscal Accountability in Research (FAIR) Model 1 and FAIR Model 2 (detailed below):

• FAIR Model 1 introduces a streamlined, standardized percentage applied to total federal research project costs, adjusted based on institutional and research-type factors and eliminating the need for negotiated F&A rates.
• FAIR Model 2 provides a detailed, cost-driven approach by directly budgeting key research support functions, including facilities, grants management and regulatory compliance, as standardized direct cost categories (only minimal administrative costs remain).

Institutions have been asked to test the models and provide feedback to the JAG for consideration of one model over another, or a hybrid of both, as soon as possible. The JAG plans to deliver a final model by June 27 to Congress that will be acceptable to both the government and the research community. Texas A&M will be examining both models closely and organizing our feedback accordingly with extensive analyses and conversations with key stakeholders, including principal investigators (PI). We understand how profoundly this policy shift will impact all of you and continue to strongly assert our perspective in these ongoing discussions and processes. We are hopeful that whichever model is ultimately put forth and potentially agreed upon will have the least amount of disruption to our research community.

It is important to note that regardless of which model is put forward to Congress, this is only a recommendation, and it is possible, and likely, that Congress will have further changes to any potential new F&A rate model.

We will continue to keep you apprised of any changing guidelines, practices and policies of the federal and state governments, as well as how these shifts may impact our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage, and researchers may continue to access guidance for PIs through the Division of Research. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students at all Texas A&M University locations.

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

The great work you do across this university every day is a testament to the power of the Aggie Spirit, and we are working to ensure that your contributions are communicated to decision-makers at all levels of government. While I know summer can feel like a slower time with fewer students on our campuses, we never really slow down. However, I hope, as you’re able, you take some time away with family and friends to recharge.

With the conclusion of the 89th Texas Legislative Session earlier this week, there are nearly 1,200 bills headed to the Governor’s desk where he has 20 days (until June 22) to take action on them. The Governor can sign them (making them law), veto them (issuing a proclamation on his reasoning) or not sign them, which automatically makes them law after the 20-day period ends. Our Government Relations team will be providing a comprehensive update later this summer to share the results of the session and next steps. 

In addition to the conclusion of the state session, we are aware of and evaluating several additional federal actions this week.

Court Decision on In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students

On June 4, Texas settled a court case with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding a state law that permitted undocumented students to receive in-state tuition rates. The judge ruled in a U.S. District Court that the law violated the Supremacy Clause and ordered that the state is now prevented from enforcing this section of the Texas Education Code. We are working with The Texas A&M University System as they coordinate administrators from across the System to gather information needed to develop an appropriate plan to implement the requirements of the order.

President Issues Proclamation Regarding Entry and Visa Restrictions

On June 4, President Trump issued a proclamation titled, “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” which bans entry to the U.S. for citizens from 12 countries and increases visa restrictions for citizens from another seven countries. We are ensuring international scholars and students are aware and have access to accurate information. Please refer any international students and scholars with questions to the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office at isss@tamu.edu, and faculty and staff can reach out to Immigration Affairs. I want to thank our ISSS team for their continued support of our students.

President Releases Additional Details on FY26 Federal Budget Request

On May 30, President Trump issued his administration’s “Technical Supplement to the 2026 Budget Appendix” via the Office of Management and Budget. This document builds on the previous “skinny budget” that was released on May 2, providing Congress additional detail about the administration’s federal spending priorities. Congress takes this into account when developing budget resolutions in their respective chambers, which they reconcile in conference before building appropriations bills, but it is important to note that this is simply a starting point. The conversation over FY26 appropriations will play out over the course of the next four to six months, and the government relations team will continue to be engaged in these conversations. If you have specific concerns about certain areas of the budget, I encourage you to reach out to Michael Hardy, Deputy Chief Government Relations Officer and Director of Federal Relations to voice any concerns. Also, I want to reiterate the research and work you do here changes lives around the world, and we recognize your personal and professional commitment and investment to that work. We know this uncertainty can be difficult, and we are working with Faculty Affairs to ensure you have the necessary support. At the same time, we continue to engage policymakers and their staff to emphasize the critical importance of your work and the vital role our university plays in contributing to national priorities.

Update on Joint Association Working Group (JAG) on Facilities and Administrative Rate

As I mentioned previously, earlier this year, several higher education associations joined together to form a working group on a potential new F&A rate model that would be acceptable to both universities and the federal government. That group, which consists of a broad spectrum of university administrators, researchers, financial administrators, research foundations, former government officials and the private sector has worked tirelessly throughout the spring and early summer. They continue to make progress, using our recent feedback on some key questions, as well as that of other universities. It is possible that we will begin to see some of that initial work next week and be encouraged to provide feedback before it is ultimately sent to Congress before the end of the month. Our Government Relations team and I understand the critical importance of this topic and will continue to aggressively and proactively be engaged in these conversations.

We will continue to keep you apprised of any changing guidelines, practices and policies of the federal and state governments, as well as how these shifts may impact our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage and researchers may continue to access guidance for principal investigators through the Division of Research. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students at all Texas A&M University locations.

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

I hope that you had a good, long weekend after a long academic year and have managed to stay relatively dry and safe this week amid the severe weather. With the state’s regular legislative session ending on Monday, we have quite a few state updates to provide on bills moving through the process, in addition to some federal updates that also impact our university.

Student Visa Updates

We are aware of recent reports that the State Department has discussed temporarily pausing new student visa applications and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a statement regarding revoking visas for Chinese students. At this point, we have not received any direct guidance from the State Department, but we are continuing to advise students to follow the normal visa application process and are monitoring this closely. We understand these policy changes create uncertainty for our international community, and we encourage the entire university community to support our valued international students and scholars. As a reminder, resources are available to international students and scholars through the International Student and Scholar Services team, and resources for international faculty and staff are available through Immigration Affairs.

Executive Order on “Gold Standard Science”

On May 23, President Trump issued a new executive order, “Restoring Gold Standard Science,” which instructs that within 30 days, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall issue guidance for agencies on implementation of “Gold Standard Science” in the conduct and management of their respective scientific activities. The order describes “Gold Standard Science” as science conducted in a manner that is “reproducible; transparent; communicative of error and uncertainty; collaborative and interdisciplinary; skeptical of its findings and assumptions; structured for falsifiability of hypotheses; subject to unbiased peer review; accepting of negative results as positive outcomes; and without conflicts of interest.” The order has other stipulations, and we are analyzing this language as well as awaiting further guidance from agencies. We will keep you informed on how these new changes may impact research.

Terminations and Stop Work Orders

We’ve mentioned weekly that we are continuing to monitor terminations and stop work orders while supporting principal investigators (PI) affected by them. As of Monday, May 26, across Texas A&M University, including projects overseen by Texas A&M Health, AgriLife Research and Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, we have a total of 22 stop work orders and 83 terminations, totaling $165 million in lost funding. It’s important to remember that this is just a snapshot in time and continues to be a fluid situation. We know the impact on individual projects is difficult, and we remain committed to the pursuit of great research and supporting those who lead it. We will continue to monitor and support PIs who are impacted by terminations or stop work orders. If you have an affected project or are concerned about a project on which you’re currently working, please reach out Sponsored Research Services at cstratta@tamu.edu.

State Legislative Updates

Only three days remain in the regular state legislative session before sine die (the last day of session), and several of the bills we have been tracking have moved forward quickly in the final steps of the process.

Earlier this week, Senate Bill 1, the General Appropriations Act was released along with House Bill 500, the supplemental appropriations bill for Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027. We are fully analyzing the budget but can confirm Institutional Enhancement funding was included and an additional $20 million was added to the formula in the flagship’s base budget. That additional $20 million comes alongside new funding appropriated specifically for the Vet Emergency Team ($2.5 million a year), Hollingsworth Leadership Program ($617,000 a year) and Corps of Cadets Uniform Funding ($3 million a year). We will share a comprehensive update on the entire FY26 budget process for the university in the coming months.

Legislation is moving quickly at this point. Below are updates on legislation that may be of most interest to you (as of 2:30 p.m. today, May 30):

• Senate Bill 17, which creates prohibitions on landownership in Texas by certain foreign entities and individuals, was adopted by both chambers and will be sent to the governor for signature. The Texas A&M University System is closely reviewing the final legislation to provide guidance to the university on how it may impact our international community.
• Senate Bill 37, which would change governance structures at universities related to curriculum decisions and faculty senates, passed out of the House on May 25, went to a conference committee on May 28 and was approved by its committee members on May 29. Lawmakers have until Sunday to vote to adopt the report in both chambers. We are monitoring this legislation closely and remain engaged in meaningful conversations with lawmakers about implementation.
• Senate Bill 2615, related to remote work policies for employees of public institutions of higher education, was voted out of the House on May 28. The Senate will either concur with amendments or call for a conference committee.
• House Bill 5196, related to telework policies for state employees, was voted out of the Senate on May 28. It will soon be sent to the governor for signature. This bill defines the authorization of telework as an agreement between the administrative head of a state agency and an employee in order to address a lack of office space and provide reasonable flexibility in achieving the organization’s mission. The bill requires agencies to adopt an agency telework plan and publish it publicly.
• Senate Bill 2972, related to expressive activities at public institutions of higher education, passed out of the House on May 28. The Senate has refused to concur with the House amendments, and a conference committee has been established to work through the final bill text.

We will continue to keep you apprised of any changing guidelines, practices and policies of the federal and state governments, as well as how these shifts may impact our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage, and researchers may continue to access guidance for PIs through the Division of Research. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students at all Texas A&M University locations.

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

As we head into a long weekend and observe Memorial Day with our friends and families, I hope you all have a safe and restful time. Also, I encourage each of us to take time to pause on Monday to honor those who have fallen while in service to our country; their sacrifice has enabled our freedoms. Our dedication to selfless service and honoring that of others is unwavering. Before we get to that long weekend, we have a few updates on the changing policy landscape.

U.S. District Court Enjoins Department of Education from Implementing Reduction-in-Force and Transfer of Management Duties

On May 22, a U.S. District Court in Massachusetts enjoined the U.S. Department of Education from implementing the March 11 reduction-in-force (RIF), carrying out the March 21 directive to transfer the management of federal loans and special education functions, and directs the administration to reinstate individuals affected by the RIF.

National Science Foundation Indirect Cost Rate Cap

On May 19, the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced that it is temporarily pausing the 15% cap on facilities and administrative rates, which was previously being implemented under the NSF Policy Notice: NSF 25-034. This pause is in effect through June 13, when a hearing is scheduled to occur in a United States District Court. New NSF awards issued during this pause will not implement NSF 25-034, but they will include a term that would implement NSF 25-034 for the entirety of the award, dependent on future court decisions.

Indirect Cost Research Framework Feedback

As I mentioned recently, a variety of organizations have formed a Joint Associations Group (JAG) and are working collaboratively to spur the development of a framework to create a more efficient and transparent model for how the federal government reimburses universities and other research institutions for the indirect costs associated with conducting research on behalf of the American people. Texas A&M, along with other universities, was asked to provide answers to several key questions. We provided this important feedback to the JAG, after considering the feedback from our Council of Principal Investigators Executive Committee, Faculty Senate, University Research Council Deans and the Council of Deans. We sincerely appreciate the time people spent providing feedback, and everyone’s input contributed to the thinking that represents the final product. Hopefully, this group’s work will result in productive discussions.

Terminations and Stop Work Orders

We are monitoring and supporting principal investigators (PI) who are impacted by terminations or stop work orders. We are also working with The Texas A&M University System, as many agency projects affect our faculty and graduate students. These impacts remain fluid, and we’re working with PIs on an individual basis as needed. If you have an affected project or are concerned about a project on which you’re currently working, please reach out to Sponsored Research Services at cstratta@tamu.edu.

State Legislative Updates

On the state legislative side of things, we’re in the last 10 days of the session and hitting several deadlines under House and Senate rules. Tomorrow is the last day for House Committees to report Senate Bills and Senate Joint Resolutions out of committee. That means that if a SB/SJR hasn’t been voted out of its House committee by tomorrow, it has died as a stand-alone bill. It may still find life as an amendment to other legislation, but time is short and there are thousands of moving pieces right now. Here are some updates on legislation you may be most interested in:

• Senate Bill 17, which creates prohibitions on landownership in Texas by certain entities and individuals, is still in conference committee. We will continue to monitor this closely.
• Senate Bill 37, which would change governance structures at universities related to curriculum decisions and faculty senates, passed out of the House Committee on Higher Education on May 19 and is scheduled to be heard on the House floor tomorrow, May 24. We are working closely with the System to fully understand the implementation of this bill for the university and will be sharing more with you all soon as the bill moves through the process.
• Senate Bill 530, which removes the statutory requirements for institutions of higher education to be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, was signed into law by Governor Abbott on May 20 and becomes effective on Sept. 1, 2025.
• Senate Bill 2615, related to remote work policies for employees of public institutions of higher education, has been voted out of the House Committee on Higher Education. This bill restricts teaching faculty from fully remote work unless they meet certain exceptions. There was recently a committee substitute that we are currently reviewing. The next step is for the bill to move on to the House floor for a vote.
• House Bill 5196, related to telework policies for state employees, was discussed at a public hearing before the Committee on Business and Commerce on May 22. It was left pending in committee.

As promised, we will continue to keep you updated on changing guidelines, practices and policies of the federal and state governments, as well as how these shifts may impact our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage and researchers may continue to access guidance for principal investigators through the Division of Research. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students at all Texas A&M University locations.

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

As we enjoy a short reprieve between the spring and summer terms, I hope each of you are taking time to recognize your success over the last year and look ahead. Your contributions – through research, teaching and service – are truly a force for good in our state, nation and beyond. I hope you find these weekly messages reaffirming of the university’s support for what you do and providing clarity into what we’re seeing and evaluating from a federal and state policy landscape as we think about the future of the university.

Department of Defense Indirect Rate Cap

We are aware of a recent internal memo from May 14 within the Department of Defense (DOD) that indicates it will pursue a lower cap (15%) on indirect cost rates for all new financial assistance awards to institutions of higher education. The memo also states that within the next 180 days, the department will be revisiting the terms of existing awards to renegotiate indirect cost rates. We have not received official guidance from DOD yet. If you are planning a submission to DOD, please work closely as always with Sponsored Research Services (SRS), and we will continue to closely monitor and analyze updates and changes related to this topic.

Department of Energy Indirect Rate Cap Injunction

On May 15, a federal district court ruled in favor of the Association of American Universities (AAU), among other higher education organizations, and has ordered a nationwide preliminary injunction that halts the Department of Energy’s proposed 15% facilities and administration rate cap. We will continue to monitor this lawsuit closely and keep you informed on any further developments.

We continue to monitor and support principal investigators (PIs) who are affected by terminations or stop work orders. We are working with The Texas A&M University System, as agency projects can impact our faculty and graduate students. These impacts remain fluid, and we’re working with PIs on an individual basis as needed. If you have an affected project or are concerned about a project on which you’re currently working, please reach out to SRS at cstratta@tamu.edu.

State Legislative Updates

On the state legislative side of things, we’re nearing the end of the regular session, which ends on June 2, 2025. This means there is a flurry of activity with bills either dying or moving forward through the House and Senate chambers. Today marks the last day for the Texas House to consider House Bills for a vote on the House floor. While this means any House Bills that do not pass today are no longer eligible for movement through the legislative process as standalone bills, they could still be amended into other legislation to move forward. We continue to monitor all legislation that may affect our institution, in whatever form it may be (e.g., bill, resolution, amendment, etc.) and want to ensure you’re updated on movements. Here are some updates on legislation you may be most interested in:

• Senate Bill 17, which creates prohibitions on land ownership in Texas by certain entities and individuals, has gone to a conference committee to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions. We will continue to monitor this closely.
• Senate Bill 37, which would change governance structures at universities related to curriculum decisions and faculty senates, is still pending in the House Committee on Higher Education. We are monitoring additional changes to the bill, and we continue to provide important context and information to legislators and their staff.
• Senate Bill 530, which removes the statutory requirements for institutions of higher education to be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, is now with the Governor and will become law upon his signature. It will be effective Sept. 1, 2025.
• House Bill 5196, related to telework policies for state employees, has been referred to the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce. Senate Bill 2615, related to remote work policies for employees of public institutions of higher education, has been referred to the House Committee on Higher Education and has been scheduled for a public hearing next week. We continue to monitor this bill closely.

Executive Order GA-48 Implementation

Based on guidance from the Texas A&M System, we have taken steps to ensure full compliance with GA-48, “Hardening State Government Against Foreign Threats.” We are in the process of finalizing our implementation plan by the end of the month and will have it fully enacted by July 1. As one piece of this effort, employees report their personal travel to certain foreign countries through Workday and confirm their planned compliance with the order. If you have questions about the Workday form, please contact hrnetwork@tamu.edu. We will be sharing more comprehensive information as that implementation plan is finalized. If you have questions in the meantime, feel free to contact the GA-48 Implementation Committee Co-Chairs Michael Johnson and Jason Boyle.

As promised, we will continue to keep you updated on changing guidelines, practices and policies of the federal and state governments, as well as how these shifts may impact our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage and researchers may continue to access guidance for principal investigators through the Division of Research. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students at all Texas A&M University locations.

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

This week, we are awarding over 13,000 degrees to spring graduates at commencement ceremonies in College Station, Galveston, Ft. Worth, Dallas and Qatar. I want to thank each of you for your hard work in preparing our graduates for this life-changing moment. These former students are entering their next chapter equipped with the confidence that you, our Aggie faculty and staff, passed on to them. We greatly appreciate your efforts and maintain our commitment to keeping you informed of any federal or state policy shifts that may impact our institution and, specifically, your roles.

Indirect Cost Rate Cap Actions

On May 2, the National Science Foundation (NSF) notified institutions, including Texas A&M University, of a Facilities and Administrative (F&A) rate of 15% for all new awards on or after May 5. On May 5, a group of higher education organizations, including the Association of American Universities (AAU), the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), all of which we are members, along with several research institutions, filed a lawsuit in a U.S. District Court regarding the rate cap. Sponsored Research Services (SRS) is working closely with individuals wanting to submit new NSF grant proposals while we await the outcome of that legal process.  

On May 8, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced new policies, including a limit on indirect cost rates for universities to 15%. The agency stated additional information would be forthcoming. This comes after the DOE’s announcement of an indirect rate of 15% in April for which there is a pending lawsuit in a U.S. District Court and a temporary restraining order in place.

We will continue to monitor updates related to all indirect cost rate changes across agencies, and SRS will continue to work with principal investigators submitting new proposals. Additionally, the Council on Government Relations (COGR), along with the other major Higher Education Associations (AAU, APLU, ACE and others) have been working collaboratively with institutions of higher education, including Texas A&M, to develop a potential new indirect costs funding model that meets the needs of both the federal government and institutions of higher education. At the same time, our federal relations team continues to work closely with legislators on Capitol Hill and their staff to underscore the importance of indirect cost rates at their current levels in order to preserve the positive impact of our research.

Executive Order on Biological Research

President Trump announced a new executive order on May 5 entitled “Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research.” This order prescribes the development of a new mechanism for research institutions receiving federal funding to report “gain-of-function” research. It also advises a penalty of immediate revocation and up to a five-year period of ineligibility for federal life-science grant funds if an institution is found in violation of this new policy. We are reviewing this, but have not received any specific guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services on the implementation. You can review a current list of executive orders on our U.S. executive memoranda, orders and actions page.

Individual Agency Guidance

Earlier this week, we were alerted to an update that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) temporarily disabled the No-Cost Extension (NCE) functionality in eRA Commons as part of NIH’s efforts to review all existing grants and cooperative agreements. The notice indicated that “all requests for NCEs must be submitted as a prior approval request in eRA Commons, for NIH review and approval.” Researchers should continue to work with SRS on their NCE needs, and the Division of Research is updating individual agency guidance on its website to ensure researchers have access to the most up-to-date information.

State Legislative Updates

We are in the final weeks of the regular state legislative session, and our Government Relations team is working hard to ensure our perspective on bills impacting our university is heard. This week, the House Committee on Higher Education held a hearing for Senate Bill 37, which would change governance structures at universities related to curriculum decisions and faculty senates. The bill has undergone heavy revisions since it passed the Senate. The Texas A&M University System General Counsel Ray Bonilla was invited by the committee as a resource witness at Tuesday’s hearing to share testimony. The bill was left pending in committee.

Senate Bill 530, which removes the statutory requirements for institutions of higher education to be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, has passed both chambers and will soon be with the Governor. House Bill 5196, which covers changes in remote work policies for state employees, passed the House this week and will begin the process in the Senate. Senate Bill 17, which prohibits the purchase or acquisition of an interest in real property by certain non-U.S. citizens or foreign entities, was passed by the House today after heavy debate over the last two days. It will now go back to the Senate where they will either concur in the House changes or form a conference committee to reconcile differences. We are carefully evaluating the impact of legislation affecting the university and our faculty, staff and students as it moves through the state legislative process.

We remain committed to keeping you apprised of the changing guidelines, practices, and policies of the federal and state governments, as well as how these shifts may impact our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage and researchers may continue to access guidance for principal investigators through the Division of Research. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students at all Texas A&M University locations.

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

Earlier today, President Trump unveiled his proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which includes massive cuts in areas that, if implemented, would have real impact on the university. Our Government Relations team is actively discussing the potential implications of the proposed budget with federal legislators and their staff. It’s important to remember that this is just the beginning of the FY26 appropriations process that will continue through the summer and into the fall.

At the same time, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has notified institutions of a Facilities and Administrative (F&A) rate of 15% for all new awards on or after May 5. This does not impact awards prior to May 5. We are also aware of additional project cuts coming from NSF, and we are actively monitoring for those communications and working with affected principal investigators.

We recognize the very real potential impact this proposed budget and F&A rate changes would have on our institution and your work, and we know you are concerned, too. Texas A&M University research helps shape the world around us, influences economic growth in our state and nation, and touches the lives of people all over the globe, and it has done so for nearly 150 years. We will not be slowed in our pursuit of truth, understanding and solutions to the challenges we face collectively. I can assure you that we have and continue to work diligently to underscore the importance of your work with policymakers.

International Students SEVIS Status Restored

I am pleased to share that earlier this week, legal status was restored for all 23 of the Texas A&M students whose records were originally terminated in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). We understand how challenging this has been for these students, their families and the international community here at Texas A&M. If you know of someone who has been affected by these challenges, please help them connect with the appropriate resources and show them the encouragement of the Aggie Family. The International Student and Scholar Services office is dedicated to serving our international students and scholars, while international faculty and staff can reach out to Immigration Affairs.

Additionally, we are aware of recent media reports regarding new policies related to international students. At this time, we have no new guidance from the federal government related to those reports. We will continue to closely monitor any immigration policy updates, keep the university informed of changes and ensure our international students, scholars, faculty and staff have access to the right resources.

State Legislative Update

We are less than 30 days from the end of the regular legislative session, which includes a lot of continued discussions, as well as a series of deadlines for bill actions under House and Senate rules, eliminating the eligibility of bills to continue in the process. You can review these deadlines, along with a primer on the Texas Legislative Process, on the Texas Legislative Council website.

President Welsh was at the Texas Capitol this week, meeting with state legislators and sharing key perspectives on subjects that impact the university, from our capacity challenges to governance structures. There are also a few bills that have experienced movement in the process this week. Senate Bill 530, which would change accreditation processes in Texas, passed the Texas House of Representatives this week. It may either go to conference committee, or if the Senate concurs with House changes, be sent straight to the Governor for signature. Senate Bill 37, which would change governance structures at universities, has been scheduled for a hearing in the House Committee on Higher Education next week. We are working closely with The Texas A&M University System to ensure lawmakers fully understand the potential impacts of this legislation on our institution.

We will continue to keep you apprised of the changing guidelines, practices and policies of the federal and state governments, as well as how these shifts may impact our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage and researchers may continue to access guidance for principal investigators through the Division of Research. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students at all Texas A&M University locations.

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

No matter where Aggies were around the world this week, we paused on April 21 to come together for Muster, the most revered and solemn tradition in our university’s history. Regardless of the challenges we face as individuals, we stood united on this day as one family, to honor those who have fallen in the past year. As we navigate present and future uncertainties, it is important for us to remember that the Aggie Family is forever. My hope is that these weekly updates demonstrate that we are standing with you as we face obstacles, standing together in a constantly changing world.  

Supporting International Students, Scholars, Faculty and Staff

I also encourage us to all take to heart the message from President Welsh earlier today that we must do everything in our power to support our international community during this time of uncertainty. I’m pleased that we are able to share we’ve seen 12 of the 23 students whose legal status was affected earlier this month have been returned to active in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). This essentially means their legal status has been restored. If you know of an international student, faculty member or staff members who is concerned, please connect them with the appropriate office for support. International students and scholars should reach out to the International Student and Scholar Services office at isss@tamu.edu, and faculty and staff can reach out to Immigration Affairs.

Federal Grants Update

We continue to monitor all federal grant activity and notifications. We continue to receive some notifications of terminations or stop-work orders, and we have seen an increase in new or continued awards as well. Additionally, we continue to receive and analyze guidance from individual agencies. You can find the latest on individual agency guidance from Sponsored Research Services. If you have a project that is impacted by federal changes, please reach out to your Dean and Sponsored Research Services so we can best support you.

New Executive Orders

On April 23, President Trump signed several new executive orders that impact higher education. In particular, the executive order Transparency Regarding Foreign Influence at American Universities directs the Secretary of Education to take actions that require complete and timely disclosure by higher education institutions of foreign funding. Additionally, Reforming Accreditation to Strengthen Higher Education orders members of the cabinet to investigate and take appropriate action to terminate accreditors that fail to meet certain criteria and to develop new criteria for accreditation processes. We are closely analyzing all of the recent orders that impact higher education and will keep you updated on any changes. You may review a current list of executive orders on our U.S. executive memoranda, orders and actions page.

Court Order on Department of Education’s Feb. 14 Dear Colleague Letter

Yesterday, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland preliminarily blocked the enforcement of the Dear Colleague letter issued by the U.S. Department of Education on Feb. 14, 2025, until the lawsuit regarding its legality is resolved. The Dear Colleague letter required universities to comply with new guidance related to diversity, equity and inclusion programming and activities. The lawsuit is ongoing, and we will continue to closely monitor developments.

State Legislative Update

As our Government Relations team continues to work closely with state legislative offices on a wide range of bills that may impact Texas A&M, I want to communicate the status of a few pieces of legislation. Senate Bill 37, a bill that would affect the governance structure of public universities in Texas, including the role of faculty senates and institutional leadership in curriculum decisions, has been received by the Texas House of Representatives and referred to the House Committee on Higher Education. Identical to the Senate process, the House Committee will most likely hold a hearing on Senate Bill 37 to begin their chamber’s procedures soon. Senate Bill 2615 and House Bill 5196, both measures that would codify restrictions on remote work for employees of public institutions of higher education, passed out of their respective chambers’ committees this week, while Senate Bill 530, which would remove the statutory requirements for institutions of higher education to be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, passed out of the Senate and has started its journey in the House.

Dozens of other pieces of legislation that affect higher education are also going through the legislative process in both chambers, and our leadership is thoroughly tracking these bills while remaining closely engaged with legislators and their staff. The legislative process is iterative, and for any bill going through these steps, it is most likely that additional changes will be made in committees, on the chamber floors through amendments and/or in conference committees. I am grateful to our Government Relations team for actively participating in these numerous discussions with lawmakers while presenting perspectives and information on how policy changes will impact our campuses.

We will persist in keeping you informed on the shifting policy landscape and its impacts on our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage and researchers may continue to access specific guidance for principal investigators. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students at all Texas A&M University locations.

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

I hope that you have a restorative weekend and are able to take advantage of the early release today to spend more time with your family, friends and community. We appreciate all of the work that you do to make our campus a home for our students, faculty and staff, and we remain committed to supporting all of you. As part of that support, I have several updates to report this week related to federal and state actions.

Department of Energy Indirect Rate Cap

On April 11, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced a 15% cap on the agency's federal support of "indirect costs" for DOE research funding. On April 14, a group of higher education organizations, including the Association of American Universities (AAU), the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), filed a lawsuit in a U.S. District Court, seeking a restraining order on the cap. On April 16, the district judge issued a temporary restraining order barring the enforcement of the cap while announcing that a hearing will be held on April 28. We will continue to monitor this lawsuit and policy shift closely, and we encourage those impacted by DOE grants to stay in touch with Sponsored Research Services.

Grants.Gov Administration Update

Recently, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has taken over responsibility for managing Grants.Gov. Thus far, we have not seen any significant effects to operations of the site from our end, and we continue to submit and manage proposals there.

International Student, Scholar and Employee Update

As we mentioned in both a dedicated campus communication and my weekly email last week, we are continuing to monitor the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) for changes to the legal immigration status of our international students and scholars. The number of affected students here at Texas A&M University remains at 23 since we last reported on Friday, April 11. We are focused on and committed to supporting our international community through this uncertainty. International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) has developed a hub of resources for our international students and scholars, and they have organized two upcoming events to offer immigration information and support to our international students and scholars. Please contact isss@tamu.edu for more information.

We also recognize our international faculty and staff may have concerns as well. Our Immigration Affairs team has been actively reaching out with resources and information, as the guidance for employees differs from that for students and scholars. We encourage faculty and staff with questions to reach out to Immigration Affairs.  

89th State Legislature Updates

This week in the state legislature, a committee substitute for Senate Bill 37, the bill that impacts university governance, faculty senates and core curriculum requirements, passed out of the Senate and will now start its journey over in the House. Government Relations (GR) staff and Texas A&M leadership are actively working with legislators and their staff to provide information about the impacts of the legislation as currently proposed. Our GR team, leadership team and staff are closely tracking any legislation that may impact higher education and engaging lawmakers and their staff with questions, requests for clarification and information regarding the potential effects. As we head into the final weeks of the legislative session (which ends on June 2), please expect to see an increase in media coverage of different bills and remember to verify any information you may see or hear with reputable sources.

We will continue to keep you updated on the changing policy landscape and its effects on our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage, and researchers may access specific guidance for principal investigators. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students at all Texas A&M University locations.

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

We have seen several new federal actions this week that impact our institution, and I want to assure you that our Government Relations and leadership teams are staying on top of these developments. As these changes occur, we are working to ensure affected individuals have access to information and resources, and we are ensuring that lawmakers, agencies and higher education organizations understand the actual and potential effects of these changes on our institution and the people who comprise it. In addition to changes at the federal level, the 89th Texas State Legislature continues to advance legislation that will affect our university, and we have included information on that process as well.

Immigration-related Policy Changes

As of this morning, the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) has confirmed that 23 Texas A&M University students have had their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record terminated, which essentially terminates their legal status in the United States. Earlier this week, I communicated on this topic to all faculty, staff and students across all our locations. We are sharing information and guidance with our international students and scholars, and our Immigration Affairs team has information available for non-student employees. Please note that the information from Immigration Affairs is not intended for students. Faculty and staff should refer students to ISSS for guidance. In addition to these changes in status for certain individuals, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin considering social media activity as grounds for denying immigration benefit requests. We’ve updated our international faculty, staff and students on this new policy.

The Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) is requesting a briefing from DHS and the Department of State on additional information regarding the underlying policies behind the recent international student legal status changes, and future actions, that may impact international students and scholars. APLU is also meeting with key leaders in the State Department and Congress to support our own advocacy efforts. Our Government Relations team is engaged and communicating with legislators as well. We recognize the impact these changes are having on our international community, and I remind us all that we are a family at Texas A&M. We will continue doing everything in our power to support our students, faculty and staff.

International Travel Guidance

Earlier this week, the university’s Immigration Affairs team shared guidance on international travel with all international faculty and staff. In an effort to comply with the requirement to report personal travel to countries specified in Governor Abbott’s Executive Action GA-48, "Hardening State Government Against Foreign Threats," Workday Services finalized a Certification of Personal Travel to a Foreign-Adversary process and accompanying guide. If you have questions about the Workday form, please contact hrnetwork@tamu.edu. The GA-48 Implementation Committee will distribute additional guidance on the various requirements of this executive order as it is finalized. Questions can be directed to the co-chairs of the committee, Dr. Michael Johnson and Jason Boyle.

NIH Facilities and Administrative (F&A) Cost Ruling

Several national organizations, including the APLU and Association of American Universities (AAU), announced earlier this week that they are working with the research community to proactively develop a more efficient and transparent model of the current F&A cost structure. This model will address concerns with university finance, grant administration, regulatory compliance and research project leadership, among other issues, alongside the research community, with the goal of submission to the federal government for consideration. 

89th State Legislature Updates

The 89th State Legislature has hundreds of active bills that could affect higher education, including House Bill (HB) 17, Senate Bill (SB) 37, HB 173, SB 2615 and SB 2647 to name a few. The Government Relations team, along with the help of experts across the university, continues to analyze the potential impact of these bills as they move through the process and is communicating appropriately on them with legislators and their staff. We appreciate those who continue to help us understand the potential impacts, like the Faculty Senate Legislative Affairs Committee. As is typical in the state’s legislative process, a much smaller number will ultimately pass and become law. Throughout the process, bills will continue to evolve as legislators consider the input received by Texas A&M and others. University leaders continue to engage with legislators and their staff, as well as through hearings, to provide that important input in formal and informal settings. Just this week, Christopher Reed, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management, provided invited testimony in a legislative hearing on the state’s automatic admissions policy.

Our GR team informed us that early this morning, the bill containing the state’s biennium budget (SB 1) was passed on the floor of the Texas House. The next step is for both chambers to resolve the differences in each spending package over the next few weeks via conference committee. The final version of the bill will then be voted on by the conference committee and voted on, again, by each chamber. After that, it goes to the Comptroller for certification and, then, to the Governor for signature. We are working closely with lawmakers in both chambers to ensure the interests of Texas A&M students, faculty and staff are well understood by lawmakers.

Gratitude for Our Faculty, Staff and Students

I would like to again extend our appreciation to our Government Relations team, Julie Kopycinski and Michael Hardy, for their efforts in continuing to work with elected officials, agency leaders and organizations on these complex and evolving matters at the state and federal levels of our government. I also want to reiterate my thanks and appreciation to all of you on behalf of this university. Whether it’s through your teaching, research, service or other participation, you are the reason Texas A&M is a leader among higher education institutions. Our faculty are leaders in their fields and are the heart of our great university. Our staff are incredible in their support of our faculty, students and the university’s mission. And our students – they are the reason we’re here. Thank you – each of you are valued.

We will continue to keep you updated on the changing policy landscape and its effects on our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage and researchers may access specific guidance for principal investigators. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu

We will continue to keep you updated on the changing policy landscape and its effects on our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage and researchers may access specific guidance for principal investigators. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty, Staff, and Students at all Texas A&M University locations.

Faculty, Staff and Students,

I’m reaching out to share with all of you that Texas A&M University, along with other universities around the country, has international students who have been affected by terminations to their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records, which essentially terminates their legal status in the country. As of this email, 15 students have been impacted across our main campus and Galveston. We understand this news may be creating a sense of uncertainty and personal feelings of anxiety across our institution, particularly among our international community.

Our International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) team continues to frequently monitor SEVIS to inform and provide guidance to affected students as quickly as possible. They also notify the dean’s office in the affected students’ colleges and schools. ISSS has also been in contact with all our international students and scholars to share resources and information on this topic broadly. We do not have clarity on why these records are being terminated, but university leaders and our government relations team are closely tracking these developments as well.

I share this information with all of you so that we can, together, continue to make all of the students, faculty and staff who comprise the Aggie Family, feel the comfort of that family during this time. We are committed to doing everything in our power to support our international community as a valuable part of the university.

We will continue to monitor these developments and ensure our faculty, staff and students have access to accurate information. Thank you for joining me in maintaining a university culture that supports every Aggie, every day.

Thank you,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students at all Texas A&M University locations.

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

The semester is moving quickly, with finals looming and so many wonderful spring activities. As we prepare for these events and keep our focus on our important work – supporting our students and advancing world-changing research – we continue to monitor the changing federal and state policy landscape. I have just a few updates for you this week.

We are aware of recent reports regarding the potential for cuts to grants through the National Endowment of the Humanities (NEH). Of the handful of NEH grants managed by Sponsored Research Services (SRS), we have received two notices of termination for Texas A&M University grants and are working with those principal investigators. Some NEH funding is awarded directly to fellows, so we do ask that if you have an NEH grant that is not managed by SRS and have received information, please notify your dean and SRS. We will be communicating with principal investigators as we have more information.

With regard to actions from other federal agencies, we have not seen new broad guidance or significant changes to our overall impact. We remain ready to support our faculty in navigating the loss of project funding, and we are actively engaged in discussions on the Hill regarding potential impacts.

With regard to the state legislative session, President Welsh, amidst his college and school visits, had a chance to visit with state legislators again this week, sharing important information about topics that affect the university, from governance to needs related to capacity challenges. We continue to track and communicate with state officials on other legislation affecting Texas A&M, our faculty, staff and students.

I want to echo President Welsh’s words in his newsletter this week that the work you all do is important – it improves the lives of people in Texas, our nation and beyond. Thank you for remaining focused on our mission. As I think about the thousands of Aggies who will earn their Aggie rings today and tomorrow, as well as the Aggie hopefuls who will visit our main campus as part of Family Weekend with a dream of their own Aggie ring one day, I am always aware that you are the ones who make that possible. So, thank you.

We will continue to keep you updated on the changing policy landscape and its effects on our university. You can always find the latest information on the federal policy updates webpage and researchers may access specific guidance for principal investigators. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, we are available to share information and answer questions. Please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students at all Texas A&M University locations.

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

The spring semester is moving quickly, and I thank you all for your continued efforts. I have a few updates on relevant state and federal policy changes.

GA-48 Implementation Update

As you all know, last fall, the Governor issued GA-48, “Hardening State Government” against foreign threats. Since November, The Texas A&M University System has been working to develop an implementation plan for all System schools. That plan has been completed, and we’re using it to guide our next steps, which should be fully finalized by May and implemented by July 1. It’s important for you to know that personal travel to the countries identified in the order will still be permitted. There are several steps we will have to take together to ensure the safety of data and new process to follow associated with that travel, but we are working through those details and will share them with you soon.

Continued Engagement on the Hill

We are continuing to engage in important discussions with legislators and agency officials about the positive impacts Texas A&M has on the state, nation and beyond. We remain committed to advocating for the continuation of Facilities & Administration (F&A) rates at their current levels, as they serve an essential function to the university’s capacity for life-changing research in a wide array of areas.

Supporting Individuals Affected by Stop-work Orders or Terminations

We know receiving a stop-work order or termination can be concerning and may require a mitigation plan to address critical needs. Earlier today, Interim Vice President for Research Costas Georgiades distributed guidance to members of the University Research Council and the Council of Principal Investigators regarding plans for risk assessment and mitigation planning, including the potential for funding critical needs in collaboration with colleges. More information on this interim support strategy will be shared as it evolves with further input.

You can always find the latest information about federal policy changes on the federal webpage, and researchers can access agency-specific guidance for principal investigators. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students at all Texas A&M University locations.

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

I hope you all had a nice Spring Break and are having a good week back. We have seen some movement this week on several fronts related to federal government policy changes, and state legislative hearings have begun to pick up.

As you know, our Government Relations team was closely monitoring the potential for a government shutdown last week, which I’m pleased to share was averted on Friday, March 14. On Saturday, March 15, President Trump signed into law a spending bill to fund the federal government until Sept. 30, 2025. This bill mostly maintained funding levels from fiscal year 2024.

 Executive Order Regarding the U.S. Department of Education

On Thursday, March 20, President Trump signed an executive order, “Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities,” to facilitate the closure of the U.S. Department of Education after a reduction in force that took place last week within the department. The order directs the Secretary of Education to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return authority over education to the states and local communities while ensuring the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs and benefits on which Americans rely.”

A statement from Secretary of Education Linda McMahon further noted, “Closing the Department does not mean cutting off funds from those who depend on them — we will continue to support K-12 students, students with special needs, college student borrowers and others who rely on essential programs. We’re going to follow the law and eliminate the bureaucracy responsibly by working through Congress to ensure a lawful and orderly transition.” The Department of Education was created by Congress and would require congressional action to close the department.

As the department begins to facilitate these changes, we are closely monitoring and evaluating the impacts to the university. In addition to the broad potential impact of this action, I recognize that there may be additional impacts to your faculty research, particularly in the College of Education and Human Development and other fields. Please know that we are working with the deans to make sure they are empowered to help faculty staff and students during these changes. As always, if you’re experiencing a direct impact to a program or project, contact your dean or supervisor and email me at provost@tamu.edu.

Judicial Decisions Related to Executive Orders

On March 14, 2024, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit issued an order lifting the ban on the implementation of Executive Order 14151 “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing” and Executive Order 14173 “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.” While this decision enables the federal government to resume implementation of these two orders, Texas A&M has not received any new directives from federal agencies on implementation steps. If you have received new guidance directly from a federal agency, please be sure to connect with my office or Sponsored Research Services if it involves a funded project.

State Legislative Update

The Texas Senate Committee on Education K-16 held a hearing on Thursday, March 20, which included discussion on legislation related to university governance. The Texas A&M University System General Counsel Ray Bonilla was invited by the committee and testified, providing important information about the current governance process and how it works at Texas A&M System schools. Discussions will continue on these bills and other legislation throughout the legislative session, which runs through June 2. Throughout that process, our Government Relations staff will continue to engage with the legislature to provide information about the university, its governance structure and the important role of faculty.

GA-48 Implementation

Earlier this week, the Texas A&M System finalized and distributed to all System schools an implementation plan for GA-48, “Hardening State Government.” The plan was developed through a coordinated effort involving the Office of General Counsel, System Research Security Office, Sponsored Research Services, System Procurement Services, System Human Resources, System Information Technology and the System Ethics and Compliance Office. Our GA-48 Implementation Committee, led by Dr. Michael Johnson, Interim Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and the Associate Provost for Academic Enhancement, and Jason Boyle, Compliance Officer III for Risk Management and Insurance Services, provided valuable input to the plan developed by System leaders, and we are now in the process of reviewing that implementation plan to determine next steps. We will share the university’s planned actions before those begin to be implemented in the coming months.

Finally, I want to thank you all for your work every day. Your research, teaching and contributions to our campus and to our state are tremendous. As we navigate these policy changes, our role in educating future leaders and solving some of the most complex challenges facing our state and beyond remains critical.  You can always find the latest information on the Federal Transition webpage and for researchers, please view agency-specific guidance for principal investigators. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you,

Alan 

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students at all Texas A&M University locations.

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

On this short week, I want to extend my thanks to you for continuing to advance the mission of Texas A&M University every day through your work. We have several updates on federal and state policy-related activity.

Potential Federal Government Shutdown

On Tuesday, March 11, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the federal government operating at fiscal year (FY) 2024 funding levels. The CR maintained language prohibiting administrative changes to current Facility and Administrative (F&A) rates. As of this morning, the CR is awaiting a vote by the U.S. Senate prior to the Friday, March 14, deadline. If passed by the Senate this Friday, it would then go on to President Trump for approval. If it is not passed by the Senate by March 14, the federal government will be shut down until legislation to fund it is passed. If there is a shutdown, initial impacts are anticipated to be minimal. However, you may report potential impacts to you or your work through your leadership and through our feedback mechanism at feedback@tamu.edu. We will update the Government Relations webpage as new information is available. Researchers can find more specific guidance from Sponsored Research Services (SRS) on this dedicated page regarding research guidance in the event of a federal government shutdown.*

U.S. Department of Education Reduction in Force

While we have not seen any new executive orders affecting higher education since last Friday, we are aware that this week the U.S. Department of Education reduced its workforce by 50%. The department noted in its announcement that it will “continue to deliver on all statutory programs that fall under the agency’s purview, including formula funding, student loans, Pell Grants, funding for special needs students, and competitive grantmaking.” Also, the department noted that all divisions within the department were affected and some may require reorganization. As a result, we anticipate the need to be patient as agency staff work through the organizational transition. Please reach out to my office if you’re experiencing a direct impact to a program or project at provost@tamu.edu.

U.S. Department of Education Dear Colleague Letter and Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-55

We’ve reviewed the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights Dear Colleague Letter (Feb. 14, 2025), the related Frequently Asked Questions About Racial Preferences and Stereotypes Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act (Feb. 28, 2025) and Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-55 (Jan. 31, 2025). Overall, federal and state guidance related to these directives largely mirrors existing A&M System policy to promote effective compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as well as Chapter 51.3525 of the Texas Education Code (the “Anti-DEI Law”). Across all of our programs and activities, we should not be using race in decision-making and treatment of people.

We must remain vigilant in the administration of our programs and activities to ensure we meet the colorblind guarantee of state and federal law, System policy and GA-55. To help us do that, our Division of Risk, Ethics and Compliance is in the process of updating our FAQs, and we will distribute those as soon as we have them. In the meantime, continue to follow System policy and ensure our activities and efforts are open and accessible to all.

89th Texas Legislative Session Update

At the state level, committees and subcommittees continue to engage in important dialogues related to higher education. The bill filing deadline is Friday, March 14, and we expect to see additional hearings begin to be scheduled after that. We are closely tracking all relevant legislation and staying engaged with appropriate officials and staff on these topics throughout the legislative process.

I know the changing landscape is a lot to keep up with, but I want to reiterate the importance of the work you do day-in and day-out. I want to thank our Government Relations team – Julie Kopycinski and Michael Hardy – for their work to support our needs at both levels of government. Also, I want to thank our SRS team for their efforts to support our researchers’ needs and questions. Finally, I want to extend thanks to our Global Engagement team and all of our student advisors, academic support staff and faculty affairs staff who continue to help our faculty and students navigate these changes as well.

I hope you will take time during the long weekend to rest and recharge before we finish out another successful academic year. You can always find the latest information on the Federal Transition webpage and for researchers, please view agency-specific guidance for principal investigators. If you have questions, concerns or would like to request a visit from a leadership team member, please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you,

Alan 

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

*Link is no longer active and has been removed.

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students at all Texas A&M University locations.

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

Today marks National Employee Appreciation Day, and I want to thank each and every one of you for all you do to make Texas A&M University a leader in research, education and service to Texas, the nation and the world. We have the best faculty, staff and students, and I’m grateful to work alongside you. Thank you today and every day for all you do.

This week, we continue to move forward in adapting to the changes at both the national and state levels and appreciate your feedback and support in this process.

After my message last Friday, the Department of Education released a Frequently Asked Questions document about “Racial Preferences and Stereotypes Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.” This was intended to anticipate and answer questions that may be raised in response to the previous Dear Colleague Letter: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act in Light of Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard issued by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) on Feb. 14, 2025. We have established a team that will collaborate with the Office of General Counsel (OGC) to support future decision-making.

On Wednesday, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction halting the implementation, application or enforcement of the National Institutes of Health’s Feb. 7 supplemental guidance imposing a cap of 15% on F&A costs. The injunction applies to all institutions nationwide. The injunction follows a hearing held on Feb. 21, 2025, during which both the government and representatives from separate lawsuits presented arguments concerning the motion for preliminary injunction. The government is expected to appeal the decision, and we will continue advocating for our research programs.

Federal agencies are in the process of reviewing all contracts and grants, and that is expected to continue through this month and be followed by some federal implementation process. In anticipation of this review as well as the outcomes of pending judicial decisions regarding temporary restraining orders and injunctions, our teams are developing new processes and workflows for a streamlined approach to facilitating and responding to stop-work orders and terminations for research grants. Further, we are developing a framework for supporting faculty and staff who may be affected by funding disruptions. We’ve been meeting with internal faculty groups, as well as university and System leadership to get feedback on this framework, and we will work to finalize that over the next couple of months.

While we continue to seek more clarity in this transition, it may be helpful to note that we have not received a large number of terminations or stop-work orders yet, although it has the potential to increase. We also recognize the impact on those projects affected so far and are considering how to support them on a case-by-case basis in coordination with our partner System agencies. 

Also, we continue to track the potential for a federal government shutdown and have launched a webpage on the Government Relations website dedicated to this topic, as the current continuing resolution will expire on March 14, 2025. However, legislators continue to make progress toward passing a continuing resolution, and the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote early next week on a stop-gap funding measure, which if passed, would then move on to the Senate for a vote before Friday’s deadline.

We are aware of recent media reports on two topics that you may have also seen: 1) reports that a draft executive order to close the U.S. Department of Education is in circulation, and 2) that state agencies are ending telework policies. As of this email, no new executive order on the Department of Education has been issued, and the university has not received a new directive on remote work locations to date.

Again, I’m truly grateful for all of you and everything you do to support our students, conduct life-changing research and support our mission. For those of you who will be enjoying Spring Break next week, I hope you find relaxation with friends and family. I encourage you to stay informed by reviewing updates and materials on the Federal Transition webpage, as well as the Division of Research’s agency-specific guidance for principal investigators. For inquiries or to request a visit from a leadership team member, please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you,

Alan 

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty and Staff at all Texas A&M University locations.

Dear Faculty and Staff,

This week, university officials have been in Washington, D.C., and the State Capitol providing information to lawmakers on key priorities. We have also seen a few updates on policy changes from the federal government.

I was in Washington, D.C., with Michael Hardy, Deputy Chief of Government Relations and Director of Federal Relations, along with representatives from The Texas A&M University System Federal Relations team. We had the opportunity to speak with several Texas delegation members of Congress, providing them with information about the importance of our federally funded research and the impact of potential cuts to federal funding. During our visits, we helped lawmakers understand the Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs of research – also referred to as the “indirect costs” of research. As we all know, these costs are essential to conducting world-class research effectively, efficiently, safely and securely. We received appreciation from lawmakers for the time and information about our valuable research, and we will continue to keep them informed.

The Association of Former Students collaborated with the Texas Exes Association to host Orange and Maroon Legislative Day, where the flagship universities come together to advocate on behalf of higher education. Former students met with state lawmakers to share information about reinstating institutional enhancement and the university’s exceptional item request for $45 million to support STEM capacity needs. President Welsh also testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Article III about the university’s budgetary request. We’re grateful to Julie Kopycinski, our Chief Government Relations Officer, and Michael Hardy for their efforts to keep us engaged with lawmakers at the state and federal levels as we navigate changing policies.

In addition to our outreach, we have seen a few updates from the federal government since my last update. Shortly after my email last Friday, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction that covers the entire United States, and blocks the execution or reinstatement (under a different name) of the funding freeze on certain financial assistance ordered by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in late January (OMB Memo 25-13, which had already been rescinded by Memo 25-14). We are continuing to monitor the legal actions associated with this agency guidance. No new action is required by any of our faculty or staff at this time with regard to this update.

On Wednesday evening, a new executive order, “Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Cost Efficiency Initiative,” was issued, requiring federal agencies to establish technological systems that track payments, justify expenditures publicly and review existing contracts and grants. While the federal government implements these changes, there is a 30-day holding period for new grants and contracts. At this time, there is no action required by our faculty and staff beyond those who are already engaged.

Also, we are tracking the potential for a government shutdown. On March 14, 2025, the current continuing resolution passed in December will expire unless Congress passes a spending plan or another continuing resolution to keep the existing budget in place. While most impacts are not immediate, if you are on a federally funded project, please look for guidance from Sponsored Research Services to help us mitigate the impact should a shutdown occur.

Finally, there are several state directives that are still under review and awaiting guidance from the Office of General Counsel (OGC), including a letter from the Governor stating that the state of Texas recognizes only two sexes — male and female — and GA-55, which directs state agencies to prohibit all forms of government race discrimination. Once we have clear guidance, we will implement the appropriate changes. In the meantime, we encourage you to submit questions regarding these directives via our office at provost@tamu.edu.

I want to reiterate a few important reminders for all of us. We are working diligently to anticipate potential impacts and develop plans and strategies to minimize the effect on people and the important work that may be impacted by all of these policy changes and directives. We value each and every one of you, and we are committed to providing you with clear guidance as we move through these policy changes.

Although the governmental landscape changes, Texas A&M will continue to make tremendous contributions to the state of Texas, nation and world in educating the future workforce and developing solutions to some of our greatest challenges. Continue to look for updates on the Federal Transition webpage and the Division of Research’s agency-specific guidance for principal investigators. If you have specific questions or you’d like to have a member of the leadership team come to visit with your group, please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

Thank you,

Alan 

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty and Staff at all Texas A&M University locations.

Dear Faculty and Staff,

I want to thank you all for your continued commitment to our mission as we navigate changing federal and state policies. As I mentioned last week, you’ll hear from me each week about the changing landscape, and I have several updates to share as of today, Feb. 21.

U.S. Department of Education Guidance

Late last Friday, we received guidance from the U.S. Department of Education clarifying and reaffirming “the nondiscrimination obligations of schools and other entities that receive federal assistance from the United States Department of Education.” The guidance provides the department’s interpretation of federal law and notes that the department will begin assessing compliance within 14 days. We are awaiting additional legal guidance per the letter and have established a team that will work with the Office of General Counsel (OGC) to help us navigate the department’s order.

Research Funding

The Division of Research, including Sponsored Research Services (SRS), has been working quickly to process guidance from agencies with the help of OGC and facilitate stop-work and termination orders. Our team is working to develop clear guidance for principal investigators (PI) on exactly what to expect should you receive a stop-work or termination order, including guidance on requests for appeals regarding terminations. Additionally, our team is developing a framework for evaluating potential risk to projects based on federal agency guidance. We will use this information to identify projects that could be high risk in order to begin working with their PIs, research deans and others as appropriate to plan for faculty and staff impacts.

We also are beginning to see new awards coming through again for a variety of agencies, including the National Science Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S. Departments of Defense and Agriculture – Economic Research Service, as well as a no-cost extension from NASA and continuations from the National Institutes of Health. We encourage PIs to continue submitting new proposals and keep performing approved research as normal. If you have questions about existing or new projects, continue to reach out to your SRS contact. The team is working very hard to support not just Texas A&M but all Texas A&M University System schools. We appreciate their efforts.

Governor’s Proclamation on Security Risk Prohibition

At the end of January, Governor Greg Abbott released a proclamation banning “the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and social media apps affiliated with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) on government-issued devices.” Technology Services has been working with the Texas A&M System to comply with this order to ensure the prohibited technologies are not accessible on our networks and will be providing the university community with detailed guidance soon. The team has been leveraging their experience with the TikTok ban in 2022 to implement appropriate safeguards and will be educating faculty, staff and students on how to navigate the new requirements and safeguard their devices.

Governor’s Executive Order GA-48

Last fall, the Governor issued Executive Order GA-48 regarding the hardening of state government to protect national security. OGC is working diligently to finalize an implementation plan for all schools in the System. We have established an implementation team, led by Dr. Michael Johnson, Interim Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and the Associate Provost for Academic Enhancement, and Jason Boyle, Compliance Officer III for Risk Management and Insurance Services. The implementation team includes expertise from Procurement and Contracts, Technology Services, Risk, Ethics and Compliance, Research Compliance, OGC, Human Resources, Facilities and Energy Services, Global Engagement and the Texas A&M Foundation, as well as faculty representation from the Research Council, Faculty Senate, Council of Deans, Council of Principal Investigators and department heads. This group is already developing key questions against which they will establish subcommittees to ensure our implementation is thorough and supports faculty, staff and students once they receive the implementation plan from OGC.

Finally, we continue to update information on the Federal Transition webpage, and the Division of Research is maintaining a webpage with agency-specific guidance for PIs. We know the flow of information is fast, and we appreciate all that you’re doing to stay focused on our mission. We will keep speaking to groups across the university and keep you updated. As a reminder, if you’d like to have a member of the leadership team come to visit with your group, please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

We expect the landscape to continue shifting as new policies are enacted, and we remain committed to keeping you updated as we understand and develop plans. Thank you for all you do each and every day.

Thank you,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty and Staff at all Texas A&M University locations

Dear Faculty and Staff,

As news outlets and other sources report information about changing federal and state policies, we want to be sure you know that leaders from across Texas A&M University and The Texas A&M University System are actively working to assess and understand the policy changes, effective timelines and scope of the impact to the university and each of you. We have teams regularly convening to discuss verified information and plan for potential outcomes as well as develop strategies to mitigate adverse impacts. As we verify information, we will update the Federal Transition webpage, oftentimes within minutes of verifying the information.

I know that information travels quickly, so I will be reaching out to our university community regularly with updates. You can expect a weekly communication from me to all faculty and staff across all of our teaching sites and campuses throughout the spring semester with the latest on what we know about policy changes and their impact on you. If there’s no new information to share, I will let you know that, too. Also, as appropriate, we will extend information to students as well.

In addition to these communications, we will continue engaging with individual groups. We had some valuable meetings with groups across the university this week, including the Faculty Senate, the Council of Principal Investigators, the University Research Council and Council of Deans. If you’d like to have a member of the leadership team come to visit with your group, please reach out to my office at provost@tamu.edu.

From those meetings, I want to add some clarity on three key areas:

Campus Safety

We heard the need for more clarity on what to do should federal, state or local law enforcement officers appear at your building, classroom, lab or other building on our campuses. We’ve updated the public safety contacts webpage to provide some additional guidance here, but the first step in almost every scenario is to contact your local police department.

International Faculty, Staff and Students

We know there are questions about recently enacted state policies through gubernatorial executive orders affecting international community members. We are assessing the full impact of these orders and will be providing guidance soon on necessary changes. We encourage our international faculty and staff to reach out to the Office of Immigration Affairs in Faculty Affairs with any questions or concerns. Additionally, you may direct international students to International Student and Scholars Services in the Office of Global Engagement should they have questions. We will continue to follow all federal and state laws while supporting our students, faculty and staff.

Research

We all know that Texas A&M research has a tremendous impact on the lives of people in Texas, the nation and beyond. The federal funding landscape for research is changing and we will adapt alongside it. We have teams working diligently to fully understand the actual and potential impact of these changing policies. Therefore, if you have not received a stop-work or termination order from Sponsored Research Services (SRS), please continue your work as normal. If a federal agency has reached out to you directly with guidance, contact SRS. The Division of Research is maintaining agency-specific research grant guidance that has been distributed to the research community separately.

Your work is important. As we understand the potential impact to the university or specific programs, we will be reaching out broadly and to individual staff and faculty to share information and provide guidance. It is not the responsibility of any individual employee to determine ways in which you should respond to changing policies without guidance from the university.

We understand policy changes may have implications to the career advancement, employment and education of our people and are working to develop strategies to mitigate possible adverse effects, while also helping us all adhere to federal, state and local laws. As you and our students navigate these changes, please remember we have a wide variety of resources available to help you and those around you. 

Also, it is essential that we do not allow unverified information to guide our decision-making. We will follow verified guidance from federal agencies and the State of Texas, and we will communicate the necessary changes to adhere to that guidance to you either individually, through your supervisor or through these weekly communications. Between updates, please stay informed at our Federal Transition webpage. This page will continue to evolve as we have new information, and if you have a program that may be affected by changes to federal or state policy, please provide that information via that site.

Our faculty and staff are the backbone of our institution, serving students and our great state. Thank you all for your commitment every day to the university, our students, Texas and beyond.

Thank you,

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

Sent on behalf of Alan Sams, Provost and Executive Vice President, to all Faculty and Staff at all Texas A&M University locations

Dear Colleagues, 

Late Friday, we became aware of a policy change from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) involving payments for indirect costs (IDC). The change, as written, will reduce our federally negotiated IDC rate from over 50% down to 15%. As of late this afternoon, a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order that will be further reviewed at a hearing on Feb. 21, 2025.

Such a change would have a significant impact on our university. We are actively working across the university and with The Texas A&M University System to understand the full impact to Texas A&M, develop mitigation strategies for work underway, and keep you informed as we gain clarity on current and future developments and solutions. 

Further, it impacts universities and research across the country, and we continue to collaborate with advocacy organizations, such as the Association of American Universities, Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, Council of Government Relations, American Council on Education and others to communicate the importance of this funding.

For those submitting NIH proposals now or in the near future, please continue to use the appropriate federally negotiated facilities and administrative (F&A) rate. At time of award, if NIH reduces the F&A allowed, the Texas A&M System will act in accordance with NIH’s decision. This ensures your work and submissions remain compliant with the existing and potential new policies.

Changes to federal policy affect many areas of our institution, and you can find comprehensive updates on the Office of Government Relations’ Federal Government Transition (2025)* webpage, which links to research-specific information as well.

Texas A&M University is one of the nation's leading research institutions, with researchers who are making discoveries that can improve lives and impact the world. We are committed to supporting our faculty, staff and students through these changes to ensure we can continue to solve complex challenges for our state, the nation and the world.

Thank you for all you do each to make that possible.

Sincerely, 

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

*Link is no longer active and has been removed.

An update to faculty, staff and students at Texas A&M University from the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President.

To Our University Community,

With recent changes to immigration enforcement policies, we know you may have questions about how this impacts Texas A&M University and our locations. As a public institution and member of The Texas A&M University System, these new policies do not change federal government law enforcement agencies’ ability to access university and college campuses. However, this is an important time to reiterate expectations regarding law enforcement, including immigration enforcement, on our campuses and teaching sites.

Law enforcement agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), are permitted to enter public areas at each of our campuses and teaching sites. Access to nonpublic areas, like on-campus residence halls and dormitories, typically requires a search warrant. If you are presented with a warrant to access a restricted area by a law enforcement officer, please listen to their instructions, comply and immediately notify the University Police Department or the designated public safety contact for your respective location.

Additionally, educational records are protected under FERPA. If you receive a request for university records/documents or other information you feel may be protected, please notify the Office of the Registrar immediately at 979-845-1711, ferpa@tamu.edu or Help Desk Central, monitored 24/7/365, at 979-845-8300. The Office of the Registrar will review and determine what action, if any, should be taken. 

As federal policy changes, we will continue to uphold federal, state and local laws, and are working closely with our Government Relations team and the Office of General Counsel to bring forward updates and provide clarity on how changes may impact our university community. International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) has resources available for our international students and scholars. Faculty Affairs Immigration Affairs, within the Office of the Provost, has resources available for our faculty and staff. 

Thank you for your continued dedication to our mission, to our purpose as Texas A&M.

Peter Lange

Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President, Texas A&M University

Dear Faculty and Staff,

In follow up to President Mark A. Welsh III's message yesterday regarding the federal transition, we remain committed to sharing important updates with you as they become available.

This afternoon, the Federal Office of Management and Budget rescinded the memo* distributed on Monday, Jan. 27, which called for federal agencies to temporarily pause “all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all federal financial assistance, and other relevant agency activities that may be implicated by the executive order.”

This broadly means that funding will continue to be disbursed by federal agencies, except where individual federal agencies have provided specific guidance to stop work. However, it is important to note that the executive orders guiding the original memo remain intact, and we are continuing to monitor and analyze policy changes as they are announced. Some federal agencies have already issued guidance on federally funded research projects, which is available on the Division of Research webpage. As we receive additional agency guidance and understand the impacts, we will continue to keep programs or projects affected by federal policy changes updated.

Finally, thank you to those of you who have reached out to Michael Hardy, Deputy Chief Government Relations Officer and Director of Federal Relations. We thank you all for the wonderful work you do each and every day.

Thank you, 

Alan

Alan Sams

Provost and Executive Vice President

*Link is no longer active and has been removed.

View message.

Dear Research Community, 

As you may be aware, several Executive Orders issued by the new presidential administration may impact proposal submissions, funded research, and new awards. Federal agencies are taking individual actions; some have suspended public communications, including publication of regulations, grant announcements, notices, guidance, and social media, unless approved by administration officials. To keep the research community up to date as this matter continues to develop, the Division of Research is establishing a webpage to serve as a resource. We will provide the URL (https://research.tamu.edu/executive-orders/) as soon as the page is established and content is updated.

Sponsor Information

Department of State

As of Friday, January 24, 2025, Sponsored Research Services received a directive from the Department of State to stop work effective 11:59pm, January 25, 2025 on certain research contracts to comply with Executive Orders: 1) “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing” OR  2) Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid.”

If a research project is impacted by a stop work order, all work must cease, which includes spending, project planning, implementation, travel, and all other activities. SRS is in the process of contacting Principal Investigators individually via email if their Department of State funded project is affected.

FHA/ US Dept of Transportation

As of Friday, January 24, 2025, Sponsored Research Services received a directive from two FHA/US Department of Transportation to stop work effective 11:59pm, January 25, 2025 on certain research contracts to comply with Executive Orders: 1) “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing” OR  2) Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid.”

If a research project is impacted by a stop work order, all work must cease, which includes spending, project planning, implementation, travel, and all other activities.  SRS is in the process of contacting Principal Investigators individually via email if their FHA/USDOT funded project is affected.

Department of Energy

Sponsored Research Services has been notified that the Department of Energy is suspending the release of some new awards, funding actions, funding opportunities, no-cost extensions, and other modifications until review of agency policies has taken place to ensure compliance with all Executive Orders.  Based on communication from the Department of Energy, they are hopeful delays will be minimal.

“Procurement Announcements and Actions: Any announcements or awards regarding procurement opportunities and contracts are to be put on hold, other than for routine building operations and supplies for contracts with a value of less than $100,000. This includes, but is not limited to, requests for proposals (RFPs), requests for quotations (RFQs), and contract negotiations. Such approvals will be made in writing by the Secretary (acting) or the Head of Departmental Element with the prior approval of the Secretary (acting).”

“Funding Actions: All funding and financial assistance activities including loans, loan guarantees, grants, cost sharing agreements, funding opportunity announcements, and contracts shall not be announced, approved, finalized, modified, or provided until a review of such takes place to ensure compliance with Congressional authorization and Administration policy. Such approvals will be made in writing by the Secretary (acting) or the program head with the prior approval of the Secretary (acting).”

Full text can be found here: Action Memorandum signed by Acting Secretary of Energy Ingrid C. Kolb dated January 20, 2025.pdf

DOE is immediately ending the requirement for Promoting Inclusive and Equitable Research (PIER) Plans in any proposal submitted to the Office of Science. All open solicitations have been, or will be amended to remove the PIER Plan requirement and associated review criterion. For proposals that have already been submitted to the Office of Science, no action on the part of the applicant is required, but applicants will have the option to resubmit a new application with the removal of the PIER plan. Reviewers will not be asked to read or comment on PIER Plans. Selection decisions will not take into consideration the content of PIER Plans or any reviewer comments on PIER Plans. If you have questions, please email questions@science.doe.gov.

NASA

Sponsored Research Services has been notified that NASA is suspending the release of new awards, funding actions, funding opportunities, no-cost extensions, and other modifications until review of agency policies has taken place to ensure compliance with all Executive Orders.  Based on communication received from NASA, they are hopeful delays will be minimal.

“Effective immediately, NASA Grants and Cooperative Agreements Terms and Conditions must be updated to remove any reference to DEIA initiatives and programs.  NASA Shared Services Center (NSSC) will continue to work packages; however, the Grant Officer is not able to award until the agency Terms and Conditions are updated.  NASA appreciates your patience with the award delays as we continue to work diligently to complete all grant and cooperative agreement awards.”

NIH

Sponsored Research Services has not received communication from NIH regarding the impact of the E.O.s on proposal submissions, funded research, and new awards.  The newly issued E.O. ordered the cancellation of meetings, including study sections, a freeze on hiring, and a pause on communications until February 1, 2025.  The pause on communications is a challenge for universities with NIH funding.  As guidance becomes more readily available the DOR website will be updated.

COUNCIL ON GOVERNMENT RELATIONS 

COGR, Council on Government Relations, the national authority on federal policies and regulations affecting U.S. Research institutions is monitoring this situation closely and has posted helpful resources on their website which are being updated as new information is available: 2025 Administration Transition Information & Resources | Council on Governmental Relations

A summary of all the Executive Orders and potential impacts to research grants and contracts research is especially informative.  Summary of Executive Orders_1.24.25.xlsx  

As information becomes available from federal sponsors regarding how they will implement the E.O.s we will update the DOR webpage. We understand that there will be questions related to human resources and the impact that the actions will have on researchers and staff. Please work with your local H.R. team for guidance. For all other matters related to proposals or project administration please contact your SRS liaison. 

Jack Baldourf

Vice President for Research