Research Funding Communications
01-28-25 Message From Vice President Marshall and Provost Antony
02-17-25 Message From Vice President Marshall and Provost Antony
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I continue to submit proposals?
- Yes. As of now, proposals to federal agencies can still be submitted as usual. Faculty should carefully review any amendments or updates to solicitations or requests for proposals posted on the respective funding agency’s website. Pre-award administrators are checking the certifications required for proposal submission to see if they have been updated to include the new Executive Orders.
Should I continue working on my award?
- You should only stop working on your award if you receive a Stop Work Order or a Notice of Suspension. OSP will notify PIs immediately should we receive a Stop Work Order or Notice of Suspension for your grant. Otherwise, all faculty should proceed cautiously with their federally funded projects. In addition, until we know more it is not possible to determine which costs will ultimately be reimbursed. Be mindful of this and do not overspend.
What should I do if I receive guidance from federal agencies?
- If you receive any guidance from federal agencies regarding policy changes or specific administrative actions tied to the Executive Orders, please forward that information to ospaor@gmu.edu immediately, just in case we have not received word.
If I am proposing to an agency that my award has been terminated, and I am interested in appealing the decision. Who should I contact?
- The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) is facilitating reviews by George Mason’s Senior Leadership team to evaluate termination appeals on a case-by-case basis. If you have questions or would like to pursue an appeal please contact Maggie Ewell, Director of Pre-Award and Eileen Gallagher, Director of Contracts in OSP.
What support is available for PIs with formally suspended or terminated projects?
Where should I send questions about the Executive Orders and their potential impact?
- Please reach out to research@gmu.edu. We will do our best to provide timely responses and support.
What are Facilities and Administrative (F&A) or Indirect costs and why are they important to the research enterprise?
If I am proposing to an agency that has issued a notice limiting F&A, should I use that rate on my current proposal submission?
- Several agencies have issued notices limiting F&A to 15% that are currently under legal challenges. During this period of uncertainty, you should include George Mason’s federally negotiated F&A rate on your proposal and we will include a statement confirming that if the rate is changed at the time of award George Mason will use the updated rate.