NSF Implementation of Recent Executive Orders (original) (raw)

This page provides information regarding recent executive orders and their impact on the U.S. National Science Foundation community.

This page is being updated often; please check back regularly for information.

Page last updated: Feb. 7, 2025

Media contacts

For media inquiries, please email media@nsf.gov or call (703) 292-7090.

Messages to the NSF principal investigator community

Feb 2, 2025

Access to the Award Cash Management Service (ACM$) has been restored and the system is available to accept payment requests as of 12:00 PM ET on February 2, 2025. See the FAQs below for more information.

You can direct your questions through this webform. We are receiving a large volume of submissions, and we will not be able to respond individually. As we collect your questions, we will compile and post frequently asked questions (FAQs) on this page. Please check back regularly to access these FAQs.

Thank you for your work advancing science, engineering, technology and innovation for our nation.

Frequently asked questions

These FAQs were developed from a review of community questions organized under major topics.

Panels

1. Is NSF holding review panels?

Yes, review panels will continue the week of February 10, 2025.

2. Are there any modifications to the review process as a result of the executive orders?

As per the agency's normal practice, program directors manage the review process. Panelists are expected to focus their discussions on evaluating the merit of the proposals under consideration. The review criteria remain consistent. Guidance on reviews and panel summaries has not changed. Program directors do not comment on activities outside of the purview of the panel. The reviews and panel summaries are advisory to NSF. As has always been the practice at NSF, we will consider this advisory material in conjunction with agency-wide guidance and applicable federal standards when making funding decisions.

3. I was supposed to be on a panel last week and it was canceled. When will it be rescheduled?

NSF is rescheduling, as appropriate, virtual, hybrid, and in-person proposal review panels that were scheduled through February 7, 2025.

ACM$

1. When will the Award Cash Management Service (ACM$) be restored to allow disbursements on active awards?

Access to ACM$ has been restored and the system is available to accept payment requests as of 12:00 PM ET on February 2, 2025.

2. On Friday, January 31, 2025, a Federal Court issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) directing Federal grant-making agencies, including the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), to "...not pause, freeze, impede, block, cancel, or terminate... awards and obligations." What is NSF doing to comply with this TRO?

NSF has restored access to the ACM$ system as of 12:00 PM ET on February 2, 2025 and is in compliance with the TRO.

3. I cannot access the ACM$ system. Why not?

If you cannot immediately access the ACM$ system, please try again. For technical assistance please contact your respective NSF Division of Financial Management representative available at new.nsf.gov/bfa/dfm/pab. ACM$ frequently asked questions are available at www.nsf.gov/bfa/dfm/docs/DFM_PABGrantFAQ.pdf.

4. I submitted a payment request last week, before ACM$ was shut down. Do I need to submit a new request?

Please log into your ACM$ account to verify whether your payment was accepted before submitting a new request. NSF executed a shut down of ACM$ last week due to extraordinarily high volumes of payments received after OMB Memorandum M-25-23 was released, which resulted in a cancellation of all payment requested received on January 28. However, payment requests submitted on January 27 prior to 8:00 PM have been retained and will be released for payment.

5. Will Fellows (GRFP, etc.) receive their February stipend?

GRFP Fellows receive their stipends from their institutions. GRFP Fellows should contact the GRFP Coordinating Official at their institution regarding the disbursement of their stipend.

For all other Fellows:

1. If you normally receive your stipend through your institution, please contact your institutional payment office.
2. If you normally receive your stipend through ACM$, please log in and verify that your payment request has been accepted. You may need to resubmit your request.

6. How long will it take to get my payment?

Due to the anticipated high volume of transaction requests, there could be delays in processing for brief periods of time over the next 24 to 48 hours. If you do not receive your payments promptly, please contact your respective NSF Division of Financial Management representative available at new.nsf.gov/bfa/dfm/pab.

7. How does the TRO impact the award reviews NSF was conducting?

The TRO does not impact the ongoing review of our award portfolio to identify active grants in the context of recent Executive Orders. We will continue the comprehensive review of our award portfolio.

8. Can NSF terminate my award even if they are still reviewing all awards?

NSF can not take action to delay or stop payment for active awards based solely on actual or potential non-compliance with the Executive Orders. However, the TRO reserves the agency's right to take action for reasons not related to compliance with the executive orders, such as violations of law, regulation, or current NSF grant terms and conditions.

9. Are we still allowed to submit proposals on Research.gov?

Yes. Proposals may be submitted on Research.gov.

10. How will the executive orders affect due dates for proposal submission?

Due dates are subject to change. NSF will publish revised funding opportunities as necessary.

11. I submitted a proposal recently. When can I expect it to be reviewed?

NSF will publish revised funding opportunities as necessary and will communicate any updates to the research community via NSF's established communication processes. Our intent is to resume proposal processing and review activities for funding opportunities as soon as possible.

12. Can awardees resume with activities and spending relative to the non-compliant activities mentioned in the rescinded Memorandum M-25-13?

Consistent with the district court's order, NSF awardees may continue activities consistent with the current terms and conditions of their NSF awards at this time.