Posted March 3, 2025 by Office of Research and Innovation
Dear Nebraska Research Community,
The past six weeks have brought waves of uncertainty and change in the federal research landscape. As we navigate operation of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s research enterprise in this context, I want to share two main messages.
First, keep thinking big, dreaming, writing, innovating and creating! Nebraska, our nation and the world continue to need your discoveries, innovation and creativity. Your research, scholarly and creative activities are critical for advancing health and well-being, workforce development, economic vitality, and security in our region and beyond.
Second, you are surrounded by community. The Office of Research and Innovation is here to continue sharing up-to-date information, provide guidance and answer questions. Our approach remains informed by frequent communication and partnership with the national research community, including the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, Big Ten peers and other organizations. A number of federal actions are ending up in the legal system. We are thankful for the coordination with our colleagues in the University of Nebraska Office of General Counsel. We also continue to closely collaborate with the NU federal relations team.
At UNL, we are steadfast in our gratitude to our federal funding agency partners, whose support makes so much of the important research we do at UNL possible. The following are important reminders and resources for how we can be the best partners to our federal agency colleagues, as well as informed and responsive in general:
- It is very important that faculty forward any correspondence received directly from sponsors to the Office of Sponsored Programs at unlosp@unl.edu. This includes any work modifications, stop work notices, terminations, attestations or certifications. Please do not sign or certify without OSP’s review.
- It is business as usual with your sponsored projects at this time, unless you receive a work modification or stop work order specific to your project. Such communication will refer to a specific award number. Business as usual means continuing your project activities consistent with the current terms and conditions of your sponsored awards.
- For current sponsored projects, please submit reports on time and monitor balances. Overspending can cause delays in UNL’s ability to be reimbursed for expenditures.
- Continue to write and submit proposals. Monitor requests for proposals and deadlines closely as some are changing with little or no notice.
- As you work to submit proposals, provide proposal materials in a timely manner to your grant specialists both in your department/business center and in OSP. This allows time to ensure UNL submits the most competitive and compliant proposals possible, particularly with some evolving changes in proposal requirements.
- Expect delays on the issuance of continuations and new awards. If you have staff or students funded on grant dollars where the delay in issuance of awards will affect the ability to cover payroll-related expenditures, please reach out to your department executive officer (e.g., department chair) and/or associate dean for research to discuss options. UNL’s Human Resources office is also available to provide guidance and assistance related to any personnel actions.
- Please continue referencing R&I’s Federal Research Updates webpage for up-to-date information and resources about this evolving situation.
I look forward to seeing all that we continue to accomplish as you continue to think big, write, innovate and create. Please be in touch with any questions. We are here to help and support you.
Warm regards,
Jen
Jennifer Nelson
Interim Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation
