February 11, 2025

NDSU Community,

I’d like to provide an update on the continuously evolving federal funding situation, which I know has been a source of concern and uncertainty for many of us.

OMB Memo / Federal Grant Funding Freeze

The Temporary Restraining Order that I mentioned in my February 23 update continues to be in effect, and federal agencies have begun reimbursing NDSU again.

Two courts are currently preparing for preliminary injunction hearings to make the TRO permanent. We are monitoring the situation closely and will continue to keep you informed as we learn more.

I want to thank the members of the two working groups listed at the bottom of this email. Their quick response and continual effort during this evolving situation are appreciated.

NIH Indirect Costs

On February 7, the National Institute of Health announced it would cap reimbursement for indirect costs incurred on new and existing grants to universities at 15% effective February 10. Indirect costs are also called “F&A” which is short for Facilities and Administrative costs. Examples of F&A include maintenance of equipment and facilities, utilities, and salaries of administrative staff. The potential financial impact to NDSU is still being evaluated.

On February 10, a federal judge issued a nationwide TRO blocking NIH’s F&A reduction. We continue to closely monitor this situation as well and its potential impact to NDSU.

Moments like these remind me of how our campus can come together to address challenging times. Thank you all for your attention and hard work. We will provide updates to the NDSU community as things develop in this fast-paced and fluid environment. If you have questions, please connect with Chris Wilson at christopher.s.wilson@ndsu.edu. In addition, PI’s can continue reaching out to their contacts within RCA and GCA with questions. For student concerns, please contact One Stop at www.ndsu.edu/onestop

Thank you,

David Cook

Large Working Group (Providing strategic guidance and immediate support across campus units)
David Cook – President
David Bertolini – Provost
Seinquis Leinen – Senior Director for Strategic Enrollment Management
Matthew Sanchez – Director for Financial Aid and Scholarships
Greg Lardy – Joe and Norma Peltier VP for Agriculture
Garrett Kuhn – Student Body President
Karin Hegstad – Associate VP for Finance and Administration
Laura Oster-Aaland – Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Institutional Equity
Valrey Kettner – Associate VP for Sponsored Programs Administration
Matthew Hammer – Assistant Attorney General
Lisa Montplaisir – President of Faculty Senate / SBHE Faculty Advisor / Professor of Biological Sciences and School of Education
Jace Beehler – Chief of Staff
Kay Hopkins – President of Staff Senate / Business Manager for College of Business
Colleen Fitzgerald – Vice President for Research and Creative Activity
Christopher Dick – Student Body Vice President
Kathryn Kloby – Vice President for Communications and Marketing
Kevin Dockter – Director of Grant and Contract Accounting
Bruce Bollinger – Vice President for Finance and Administration
Dilvin Habib – Senior Director for Access and Opportunity
Chris Wilson – Chief Compliance Officer

Small Working Group (Created a process for evaluating alignment of NDSU’s federal research portfolio with Executive Orders, reporting back to larger group)
Karin Hegstad – Associate VP for Finance and Administration
Kevin Dockter – Director of Grant and Contract Accounting
Valrey Kettner – Associate VP for Sponsored Programs Administration
Joycelyn Lucke – Assistant Director for Business Development – Sponsored Programs Administration
Shiloh Susag - Assistant Director of Grant and Contract Accounting
Ona Vig – Grant and Contract Officer for Agriculture
Jacalyn Benson – Business Coordinator
Matthew Hammer – Assistant Attorney General
Chris Wilson – Chief Compliance Officer