On June 20, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts vacated the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) policy capping indirect cost (F&A) recovery at 15% for Institutions of Higher Education. The court ruled that the policy was invalid, arbitrary, and capricious, and that NSF lacked the legal authority to impose the cap. As a […]

The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts has issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) preventing the Department of Defense (DoD) from enforcing its new policy capping indirect (Facilities & Administrative, or F&A) costs at 15% for financial assistance awards to institutions of higher education. The TRO immediately blocks the DoD from implementing the 15% cap […]

The Department of Defense has issued guidance on how it will enforce the newly mandated 15% cap on indirect (F&A) costs for financial assistance awards to institutions of higher education. For new awards, all DoD Components are directed to not allow indirect cost rates above 15% starting from the date of the memorandum’s publication (June 12, 2025). Any […]

The National Science Foundation is temporarily pausing implementation of the NSF Policy Notice: Implementation of Standard 15% Indirect Cost Rate, NSF 25-034, through June 13, when a hearing is scheduled to occur in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. New NSF awards issued during this pause will not implement NSF 25-034, […]

On May 15, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a preliminary injunction in the case Association of American Universities et al. v. U.S. Department of Energy. This order blocks the Department of Energy (DOE) from enforcing its April 11, 2025 policy that capped indirect cost recovery (Facilities & Administrative or F&A costs) at 15% for all grants awarded […]

On May 14, 2025, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) issued a memorandum announcing the implementation of a 15% cap on indirect cost rates for all new financial assistance awards to institutions of higher education. This decision reflects the DoD’s stated goals of promoting fiscal discipline and repurposing funding toward applied innovation, operational capability, and […]

May 20 update: This notice is paused until June 13. Additional information is available online. On May 2, 2025, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) issued a policy notice (NSF 25-034) announcing that it will adopt a standard indirect cost recovery rate of 15% for all new grants and cooperative agreements awarded to Institutions of Higher Education […]

April 29, 2025 update: The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts extended the temporary restraining order, which will remain in effect until a further order is issued resolving the request for a preliminary injunction. April 16, 2025 update: April 16 update: On April 16, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of […]

On April 11, 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a policy update (Policy Flash 2025-22) that standardizes the indirect cost recovery rate for all grants to Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), including the University of Maine System, to 15%. This replaces the long-standing practice of accepting institutionally negotiated rates, which often exceeded this threshold. […]

The US Department of Energy issued a letter rescinding the January 27, 2025 memorandum directing all funding recipients to cease activities related to DEI programs, Community Benefits Plans (CBP), and Justice40 initiatives, making participation in such activities voluntary. University award recipients may now continue these activities and will be compensated per their existing funding agreements.

NASA is restructuring its Science Mission Directorate (SMD) advisory committees in response to Executive Order 14217, which aims to reduce federal bureaucracy. The five discipline-specific committees (Astrophysics, Biological and Physical Sciences, Earth Science, Heliophysics, and Planetary Science) will be merged into a single advisory committee to improve efficiency while maintaining engagement with the science community. […]

As a public institution, the University of Maine System (UMS) must comply with state and federal laws and policies.  As changes occur, the responsible UMS offices including the Office of General Counsel and other stakeholders across the System review such changes to understand the potential impacts on our universities and provide practical guidance to our […]