Dear Colleagues:
Recent announcements from the Office of the President of the United States regarding the temporary pause on federal grants, loans and other financial assistance programs that was to become effective at 2 p.m. PST on January 28, 2025, would likely have limited impacts on UC ANR's current programs, people and finances. A limited number of programs have received cease orders.
To date, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is our primary federal partner, has not issued such orders, but has paused scientific panels and grant Requests for Applications (RFAs). When it comes to existing grants, we are encouraged to keep our programs running. Additionally, contracts and pre-approved grants will continue to be paid, except for activities specifically related to those in conflict with presidential executive orders, such as diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Further guidance received from USDA and a number of other federal agencies has encouraged researchers to continue to develop funding proposals. Several UC Office of the President and UC ANR offices are monitoring these developments and will continue to provide us with updates and guidance.
As noted in President Drake's message from earlier this afternoon, the impacts of this memo are yet to be fully understood. The memo can be found here. The university is working with both legal and federal teams to gather as much information as possible regarding potential impacts of these orders.
This is by no means a static situation. We are already being made aware of legal challenges to the executive orders. As an illustration of how fluid these events are, a federal judge temporarily blocked the freeze until Feb. 3. Please be patient with us as we seek to sort out these challenges. We will share information as it becomes available.
At this time, we know that there is considerable confusion, frustration and fear regarding the impact of the presidential executive orders on our mission, our programs and our people. Please know that we are committed to fulfilling the fundamental mission of the University of California and serving all Californians. We deliver science-based programs and develop world-class research. This will not change. Our commitment to you and to our partners and program participants has not wavered. Thank you for all that you do to build the capacity of Californians to meet their own needs. Thank you for being a part of the UC ANR family.
Brent D. Hales
Associate Vice President, Research and Cooperative Extension