Cessation of DEI Activities in Federally Funded Awards

February 18, 2025 Federal Funding

The University of Maine has received formal notifications from multiple federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), NASA, and the National Science Foundation (NSF), regarding the cessation of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) activities in federally funded awards. These notifications align with new Executive Orders issued by the administration directing federal agencies to discontinue DEI-related programs, initiatives, and funding allocations.

What You Need to Do:

  • Immediately stop all DEI-related activities on your federally funded projects.
  • If any subrecipients are performing DEI-related activities, please notify the Office of Research Administration (ORA) at ora@maine.edu.
  • Cease applying charges to the award for DEI-related purposes.
  • Ensure that funds previously allocated for DEI activities remain unspent and are not reallocated to other budget categories.

Agency-Specific Notifications:

The University of Maine has received the following federal agency notifications regarding this matter:

  • DOE Notification (January 27, 2025): Requires the immediate cessation of DEI programs, Community Benefits Plans (CBP), and Justice40 initiatives. Recipients must ensure compliance and enforce this directive with subrecipients. View DOE notification
  • NASA Notification (January 23, 2025): Directs contractors and grantees to cease all DEIA activities associated with contracts or grants. Further policy updates and contract modifications are expected. View NASA notification
  • NSF Notification (January 28, 2025): Announces a pause on payments and new awards while the agency conducts a comprehensive review of impacted programs. NSF emphasizes compliance with the Executive Orders, particularly regarding training, workshops, staffing considerations, and other DEIA-related activities. View NSF notification

These notifications are attached for your reference. Additional guidance from federal agencies may be forthcoming, and we will provide updates as they become available.

If you have any questions or need further clarification, please contact ORA at ora@maine.edu.