UPDATE: NASA Updates Grant & Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions (GCAT) – Effective Immediately
NASA has issued Grant Information Circular (GIC) 26-01 (January 14, 2026)
announcing revisions to its Grant and Cooperative Agreement Terms and
Conditions (GCAT) to implement requirements under Executive Order 14332,
“Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking.” (GIC 26-01 – Termination Payment)
Key Updates to NASA Award Terms
NASA’s revisions include updates related to:
- Termination and Enforcement
- NASA has clarified and strengthened its authorities related to award termination, including the ability to suspend or terminate an award in whole or in part when an award no longer advances program goals, agency priorities, or (for certain awards) the national interest, and also termination for convenience when determined to be in the best interest of the Government. (GIC 26-01 – Termination Payment)
- Financial Management – Payment Requests and Drawdowns
- NASA has revised requirements related to payment requests and drawdowns, including limitations on drawing down general grant funds for specific projects without NASA’s affirmative authorization, and requiring recipients to provide written justification for each payment request at the subaccount level (including the amount requested, applicable budget cost category, and explanation of need). (GIC 26-01 – Termination Payment)
Effective Date
These revisions are effective immediately upon issuance of the GIC. (GIC 26-01 – Termination Payment)
University of Maine ORA Support
The University of Maine Office of Research Administration (ORA) is working with the
affected offices to assess impacts (if any) to existing and new NASA awards,
including any changes to award administration, payment processes, and compliance
requirements.
If you have questions about how this update may affect your NASA award(s) or
proposal activity, please contact ORA by email at ora@maine.edu.