March 6, 2025

*A Message from Vice Chancellor for Research Collard*

Dear Colleagues,

Many of you have likely seen recent reports that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is pausing issuance of most notice of awards to allow for a systematic review for possible award termination if they fall outside of the administration’s new priorities. Among the awards that appear to be at risk in this review are those related to transgender populations; gender identity; diversity, equity, and inclusion; climate change; and environmental justice.

At this time, we are not aware of any direct impact of this action on UCSF awards. However, we anticipate we will begin to see modified award notices and terminations arrive in the coming weeks. UCSF has already reviewed its awards for potential risk for notification and are sharing these assessments with your department this week. This will allow you and your chairs to understand and strategize how to work with us on appropriate next steps. We are continuing to work with the UC Office of the President and other campuses to monitor the situation. In the interim, I continue to ask that UCSF principal investigators email [email protected] if any grant-related communications are received from the NIH or any other federal agency.

This NIH review appears to be separate from their proposal to reduce the Facilities and Administration (F&A) rate to a flat 15% across awards. Yesterday, a federal court granted a preliminary injunction, extending the temporary restraining order that had been in place and maintaining current F&A rates while the legal challenges proceed.

I understand that this news may raise concern for individual researchers and their teams, and I want to reiterate that UCSF and the Office of Research remains engaged and committed to supporting UCSF’s research mission, research community, and values.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership. I will share further updates as we learn more.

Sincerely,

Harold R. Collard, MD, MS

Vice Chancellor for Research

Professor of Medicine and Health Policy