President Trump has signed multiple executive orders directing federal agencies to limit funding for activities in several categories including diversity, equity, and inclusion; “woke gender ideology; foreign aid; and ‘green new deal.’”

At present, the specific impact of these orders on academic research remains unclear.

In addition to these orders, on Jan. 27, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget released a memo freezing significant portions of federal funding. That order was subsequently suspended by the courts and then rescinded by the Trump administration. 

On Feb. 7, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued supplemental guidance to the NIH Grants Policy Statement stating that facilities and administrative (F&A) costs (also known as indirect costs) will now be set at a standard rate of 15% for all NIH grantee institutions. According to the guidance, this 15% rate would replace any individually negotiated rates for an institution beginning Feb. 10, 2025. 

However, on Feb. 11, a federal court issued a temporary restraining order suspending the change in response to a lawsuit challenging the NIH guidance. 

More specific information and guidance for UVA researchers is available on the Office of the Vice President for Research’s federal updates page.

University leaders, led by the vice president for research, are actively working to better understand the latest federal actions and how they may affect the research enterprise at UVA. Members of the University community who are engaged in federally supported research should continue with their activities unless they receive a stop-work order from their funding agency related to the federal executive orders. Those who do receive such an order should contact the VPR’s office at askresearch@virginia.edu.

More specific information and guidance for UVA researchers is available on the Office of the Vice President for Research’s federal updates page.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has issued supplemental guidance to the 2024 NIH Grants Policy Statement, setting a standard facilities and administrative (F&A) cost rate of 15% for all NIH grantee institutions. This new rate would replace any previously negotiated institutional rates. However, on Feb. 11, a federal court issued a temporary restraining order suspending the change in response to a lawsuit challenging the NIH guidance. 

Faculty and PIs are encouraged to:

• Continue conducting research.
• Be mindful of spending against federal grants.
• Follow any specific directives from funding agencies (e.g., stop-work orders).

All federal research updates will be posted at Office of the Vice President for Research’s federal updates page. Faculty should check this site regularly for new information.

President Trump has signed multiple executive orders regarding how immigration laws are enforced across the country. He has also pledged to increase enforcement of immigration laws.

Historically, external law enforcement agencies have contacted University Police in advance of any planned activities on Grounds so that the University can help ensure that those activities are conducted in the least disruptive manner possible and in accordance with all relevant state and federal laws.

If someone from an external law enforcement agency approaches you and asks for information about a student, patient, or staff member, please contact University Police Department Services at 434-924-7166. They will work with University officials on a response to the request.

International students, faculty, and staff should have their approved immigration documents available at all times and be prepared to show them upon request. Students who are detained or stopped at a U.S. border should follow the protocols detailed here. 

University employees who are contacted  by law enforcement by phone or in writing with questions about UVA students, faculty, and staff should call the Office of the General Counsel at (434) 924-3586, or email UniversityCounsel@virginia.edu for guidance on how to proceed. In order to respect the privacy of any individuals involved, please do not share the details of the written request with others unless it is a University official with a legitimate “need to know.”

On Jan. 28, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order targeting gender-affirming care services for young people and instructing federal agencies to take various actions against health care providers who continue to provide those services, including threatening federal research grants and funding through Medicare and Medicaid. Subsequently, the attorney general of Virginia, who serves as legal counsel for the University of Virginia and other state agencies, released guidance on Jan. 30, indicating that agencies continuing to provide these services in defiance of the executive order risk substantial legal and financial consequences.

In response to the executive order and guidance from the attorney general of Virginia, UVA Health suspended all gender-affirming care for patients under 19 years of age.

On Feb. 13, 2025, a federal court issued a temporary restraining order suspending the federal executive order on gender-affirming care. Accordingly, UVA Health has resumed the provision of those services that were previously paused in response to the order.

On Feb. 21, 2025, specific to the federal executive order on gender-affirming care, a special meeting of the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia was held. A board vote supported UVA’s continued provision of gender-affirming care for existing UVA Health patients and affirmed UVA Health’s ability to engage with new patients and help them access the care they need. This reaffirms our commitment to offer our patients the best care we can, in accordance with state and federal law. The resolution also makes clear that we will continue to solicit the input of our health care providers and to base the decisions we make on that expertise.

On March 4, 2025, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of the executive order on gender-affirming care for patients under 19 years of age. The preliminary injunction will remain in effect until the court decides on the merits of the case. UVA Health will continue to monitor legal developments in this case and provide our patients with the best care possible under Virginia and federal law.

On Feb. 21, 2025, specific to the federal executive order on gender-affirming care, a special meeting of the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia was held. A board vote supported UVA’s continued provision of gender-affirming care for existing UVA Health patients and affirmed UVA Health’s ability to engage with new patients and help them access the care they need. This reaffirms our commitment to offer our patients the best care we can, in accordance with state and federal law. The resolution also makes clear that we will continue to solicit the input of our health care providers and to base the decisions we make on that expertise. The issuance of a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of the federal order does not change the care provided currently under the Board of Visitors' resolutions from Feb. 21, 2025.

UVA Health encourages patients to speak with their medical providers about specific questions related to their health care. Patients and providers with additional questions, please visit Transgender Youth Health Services | UVA Health Children's.

President Trump has signed multiple executive orders seeking to eliminate “illegal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” programs. As part of those actions, the president has ordered federal agencies to evaluate institutions of higher education that may warrant further federal investigation.

At its March 7 meeting, the UVA Board of Visitors issued a resolution to dissolve the central Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (“DEI”) office. In explaining the decision, the resolution references President Trump’s executive order titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” along with a Feb. 14 Dear Colleague Letter issued by the U.S. Department of Education.

The University’s central DEI office houses several important functions, including the Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights, Title IX compliance, the UVA Tribal Liaison, and the University’s Center for Community Partnerships. In accordance with the resolution, the administration will review the functions of the office, and all personnel and programs that are permissible under state and federal law will be transferred within the University. The March 7 resolution states that “faculty, staff, and students doing legally permissible research and activities should proceed as normal.”

As the resolution, which was approved unanimously, states, the “University of Virginia highly values diversity, including diversity of thought and experience, and fosters an inclusive environment, encouraging a culture of opportunity for all” and those values will guide this process going forward.

The U.S. Department of Education has stated that Title IV federal student aid funds are not affected by the pause on federal funding that was announced on Jan. 27 and then rescinded. Title IV aid includes Pell Grants, federal direct loans (including subsidized, unsubsidized, Grad PLUS, and Parent PLUS), Federal Work-Study, TEACH Grants, and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants.

We know of no planned future action to pause, cut, or eliminate federal student aid. If we learn of any such action, Student Financial Services will contact affected students directly.

The U.S. Department of Education has stated that Federal Work-Study was not affected by the pause of federal funding that was announced on Jan. 27 and then rescinded. Federal Work Study participants will continue to be paid for the hours they work.

We know of no planned future action to pause, cut, or eliminate Federal Work-Study. If we learn of any such action, Student Financial Services will contact affected students directly.

Virginia state student aid has not been affected by federal actions. We know of no planned future action to pause, cut, or eliminate state student aid.  If we learn of any such action, Student Financial Services will contact affected students directly.

UVA is committed to protecting the confidentiality of all student records, including financial aid records. For more information about how UVA protects privacy under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), please visit this page.  Students’ information is also protected in accordance with the Higher Education Act (HEA) and the Privacy Act. We know of no current breaches of financial aid confidentiality here at UVA.

The U.S. Department of Education states publicly that it “is committed to protecting student privacy” and “administer[s] and enforce[s] student privacy laws such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).”  The Department encourages students to contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at (800) 433-3243 if they believe their privacy has been compromised.

Virginia agencies, including the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, also protect the privacy of student records, including information provided when applying for financial aid.  In addition, the Virginia Freedom of Information Act excludes from mandatory disclosure scholastic records that contain information concerning identifiable individuals.

There have been no changes to Veterans Educational Benefits; if you are eligible for benefits, you should continue to receive them without interruption. More information on military benefits is available on the Student Financial Services website.

As of this writing, we haven’t experienced any disruptions with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or other federal financial aid processes, all of which are administered by the Department of Education. We will continue to work with the Department of Education to ensure that students receive the federal aid for which they qualify.

Following a significant unanticipated change like the loss of employment, a student may appeal to have their family’s special circumstances reviewed for additional financial aid consideration. Appeals are reviewed by Student Financial Services on a case-by-case basis and must be accompanied by documentation of your circumstances.

There have been no changes announced impacting federal, state, or institutional financial aid eligibility based on citizenship status. See the Student Financial Services website for more information on financial aid eligibility at UVA.

As noted in our Notice of Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity, UVA doesn’t discriminate in its programs or activities on the basis of sex, gender identity, or gender expression. Gender is currently an optional question on the PDF version of the 2024-25 and 2025-26 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and is used for demographic purposes only. It is not shared with the schools listed on your FAFSA and is not a factor in determining financial aid eligibility. To comply with the Executive Order issued by the President of the United States on January 20, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education has changed this question on the online FAFSA from gender to sex and the question is not optional. It will continue to be asked for demographic purposes and will not be shared with schools, nor will it impact financial aid eligibility.

Students should contact career advisors in the UVA Career Center or within their school’s career services office who can assist them with:

• Alternate career pathways to consider and associated job listings
• Guidance on how to tap into UVA alumni and employer networks
• Revising job search materials to align with a different field or sector

UVA Career Center drop-in hours (no appointment needed) are available, Wednesdays, 1:30-4:30 p.m., Clemons Library, second floor.

Appointments can also be scheduled via Handshake: Schedule an Appointment.

For more information on UVA resources for aspiring public service employees, visit the UVA Career Center’s FAQ page.

Graduate students and Postdocs may also seek assistance from advisors in the PhD Plus program. Information on individual advising sessions and how to schedule an appointment with a member of the PhD Plus team can be found a Advising Graduate Students & Postdocs.

The University of Virginia is committed to the academic freedom of our faculty, to the freedom of our students “to speak, write, inquire, listen, challenge, and learn,” and to the belief that “[a]ll views, beliefs, and perspectives deserve to be articulated and heard free from interference.” The University’s Statement on Free Expression and Free Inquiry, along with links to various specific speech-related policies, resources, and FAQs, can be found on UVA’s Free Speech website. The University’s commitment to academic freedom is further explained in §§ 3.1 and 3.2 of the Faculty Handbook.

University employees are free to communicate with public officials in their individual capacities, but should take affirmative steps to make clear they are not speaking for the University or in their capacity as a University employee. These steps include refraining from using University email or letterhead when expressing personal views to public officials.  These rules are more fully explained in University Policy EXT-003: Communicating With Government Officials.

The University will defend its commitments to free speech and academic freedom rights. When an individual expresses personal views in their private capacity as a citizen, they are speaking for themselves. Just as an employee’s affiliation with the University does not curtail their free speech rights, the University has no obligation to provide individuals with legal counsel in any lawsuits or enforcement actions that may arise from things they have said or done in their capacity as private citizens.

Free speech and academic freedom carry with them some limits and corresponding obligations, most of which exist to ensure equal latitude and protection for the rights and freedom of others. The University has, for example, content-neutral rules about the time, place, and manner of expressive activities on University property, which are summarized on the University’s free speech website. The University also maintains specific policies that deal with forms of expression that may amount to harassment, discrimination, and other forms of abuse.

The 1940 Statement of Principles of the American Association of University Professors, which is endorsed in Section 3.1 of the Faculty Handbook, also explains that “Teachers are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject, but they should be careful not to introduce into their teaching controversial matter which has no relation to their subject.” It further explains that when scholars “speak or write as citizens, they should be free from institutional censorship or discipline” but that “their special position in the community imposes special obligations,” including the obligations to strive “at all times [to] be accurate,” to “exercise appropriate restraint,” to “show respect for the opinions of others,” and to “make every effort to indicate that they are not speaking for the institution.”

The University’s Statement on Free Expression and Free Inquiry affirms that “[f]ree and open inquiry inevitably involves conflicting views and strong disagreements,” and that the University will not attempt to “regulate the tone or content of responses that stop short of interfering with others’ speech or violating the law.” At the same time, “[w]e act as responsible members of a shared community when we engage as empathetic speakers and generous listeners.” We hope that all members of our community will strive to engage with issues and each other in an open and generous spirit.