Navigating New Federal Government Actions and Requirements

UPDATED MARCH 7, 2025

Rutgers is guided by its public mission of teaching, research, and service. It is imperative as we work to understand the reach, legal implications, and impact of new federal rules that we stay focused on our core mission, that we support our students’ educational journey, and that we work together with open lines of communication.

The executive branch of the federal government has recently released a series of executive orders that have led to questions and concern from many in our community. The university is monitoring the situation and advocating on behalf of higher education and Rutgers. This webpage has been established to provide the Rutgers community information and guidance and to help faculty, students, and staff continue their work.

This page will be updated regularly as information becomes available about any federal actions or policies that may impact Rutgers.

Federal Actions and Rutgers FAQ

Here is a list of frequently asked questions to help navigate the evolving impact of federal government actions and requirements.

Q: What are Rutgers' guiding principles as the university navigates the impact of current and future federal actions?

A: As a public university, Rutgers remains deeply committed to our long-standing mission: to provide for the educational needs of New Jersey through our undergraduate, graduate, professional, and continuing education programs, to conduct cutting-edge research and clinical care that contributes to the well-being of the state, nation, and world, and to perform public service in support of the people of the state and the common good.

In carrying out that mission, we protect our students’ right to a Rutgers education—regardless of nationality, citizenship, political views, ancestry, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, veteran status, or socioeconomic status.

We also remain steadfast in our support of academic freedom and free speech. And we are committed to the success of our students, faculty, and staff in the pursuit of their goals and ambitions.
Q: What is the latest update regarding the U.S. Department of Education’s February 14 “Dear Colleague” letter, which indicated the department will apply the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. Harvard broadly beyond the admissions process?

A: On March 5, the Attorneys General of Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the District of Columbia issued joint guidance to higher education institutions and K-12 schools addressing the “Dear Colleague” letter and the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 2023 decision on race-conscious admissions policies. Read the joint guidance here [PDF].

Q: How is Rutgers responding to the Department of Education's "Dear Colleague" letter?

A: Rutgers adheres to state and federal law on matters related to fostering a diverse and inclusive community, including the guidance of the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey.

The university will continue to uphold our institutional values as we ensure the university’s policies and practices are consistent with the law. Like universities across the nation, we are reviewing our existing programs to ensure compliance with state and federal law and will make adjustments when appropriate. As we assess the potential impact of all federal actions, the university remains committed to building and supporting an inclusive community.

We will also continue to work closely with our peer institutions in the Association of American Universities, the Big Ten, and other affiliated organizations, as well as with our elected representatives at the state and federal levels, to advocate for governmental policies that best enable higher education to perform its vital mission of education, research, and service to the common good. This mission has served our students and the nation extraordinarily well and has contributed to American higher education’s reputation as the finest in the world.

Q: What should I do if I have questions or concerns about whether my program or initiative is consistent with state and federal law?

A: Do not take any actions before first reaching out to your chancellor’s office with your concerns. Each chancellor’s office has a direct contact in the Office of General Counsel who will review your questions and provide appropriate guidance. This process has been set up to centrally respond to questions and concerns quickly and efficiently.
NIH F&A (Indirect Costs) Funding

On March 5, 2025, Judge Angel Kelley, a federal district court judge sitting in Massachusetts, granted a nationwide preliminary injunction which serves to temporarily block the Trump Administration’s attempt to cap the indirect cost rates of National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants at 15%. Judge Kelley granted the preliminary injunction in response to three different actions challenging the February 7 Notice issued by NIH. One of the actions was filed by states, another was filed by medical associations, and another was filed by higher-education associations and universities. The order granting the preliminary injunction highlights the impact the Notice would have on quality of research, public health, and human life.

On February 7, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced it would drastically cut reimbursements to research universities for costs incurred to support research efforts. These Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs—also known as indirect costs—generally reimburse universities for up to about half of their expenses including the operation and maintenance of buildings and laboratories, equipment, IT and other support that makes research possible.

On February 10, a coalition of 22 states, including New Jersey, sued the federal government to block this NIH proposal. Later that day, a federal judge in Massachusetts issued a temporary restraining order halting the 15 percent F&A cap in those 22 states. A second joint lawsuit challenging the research funding cut was filed by the Association of American Universities, the Association of Public & Land-grant Universities, and the American Council on Education. On February 11, the temporary restraining order was expanded to all 50 states following a lawsuit led by the Association of American Medical Colleges.

The research partnership between universities and the federal government contributes in countless ways to our national economy and security. Watch this video that explains the integral role that federal indirect cost reimbursement, and related cost contributions from universities, play in research activities and discoveries.

Video developed by: American Council on Education (ACE), Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU), Association of American Universities (AAU) National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), and Council on Governmental Relations (COGR).

Q: As a researcher, what should I do if I receive a request to sign attestations for federal grants or subawards stating that my grant activities comply with recent executive orders?

A: If you receive a request to sign an attestation, you should immediately forward the document to federal-tracking@rutgers.edu and notify your chancellor’s office or the cabinet officer in your area. Please also notify your assigned grant specialist. The Office for Research and the Office of General Counsel will review the request and respond with instructions for you to follow.

As a general reminder, researchers should not sign any documents related to sponsored awards. There are established review processes to ensure proper protection of the university and your research.

For more information and updates, please refer to these commonly asked questions on the Office for Research website.

Q: How would this sudden funding change impact current and future research and innovation at Rutgers and all universities?

A: Every American will be harmed by the undermining of this long-standing partnership between academic institutions and the federal government, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. At Rutgers, NIH grants support critical areas of medical research, including cancer, heart disease, neuroscience and brain health, and infectious disease. The NIH’s new policy will have a destabilizing financial impact on how Rutgers advances medical research in support of its patients, communities, and the state of New Jersey, not to mention on the livelihoods of our faculty and staff researchers.

Q: What is the potential financial impact on research at Rutgers of the NIH 15% cap on reimbursement of indirect costs?

A: This sudden policy change will have a significant and troubling impact on Rutgers’ biomedical and other scientific research projects and the university’s ability to support them. The announced cap is equivalent to cutting the university budget in Fiscal Year 2025 by $22 million, though we know the impact on multi-year awards is far greater. NIH funding currently supports nearly 1,200 separate grants through almost $250 million in federal grants. If the cap continues into Fiscal Year 2026, the university predicts a $57.5 million annual loss.

Q: How is Rutgers working to reverse this decision?

A: The university is aggressively working with our academic affiliates, congressional delegation, state partners, and agency contacts to pursue every possible option to reverse this decision. At the same time, in the event of a sustained change in NIH policy, we are doing all we can to develop mitigation strategies for the potential impact. We aim to continue supporting our faculty, students, and staff to every extent possible.

The university is supporting legal efforts to challenge and reverse the order. On February 10, a coalition of 22 states, including New Jersey, sued the federal government to block this NIH proposal. Later that day, a federal judge in Massachusetts issued a temporary restraining order halting the 15 percent F&A cap in those 22 states. A second joint lawsuit challenging the research funding cut was filed by the Association of American Universities, the Association of Public & Land-grant Universities, and the American Council on Education.

Q: Should researchers continue to spend money on their current NIH grants, and should they apply for new NIH grants?

A: Yes and yes. As we move forward to assess this development, our guidance for those faculty with NIH grants is to continue spending your grant dollars as you pursue your research aims. We continue to encourage you to apply for new NIH grants.

Q: What should I do if I have additional questions about NIH funding?

A: We understand the deep uncertainty this news has caused and continues to cause. We will keep you informed of any changes. If you have questions, please e-mail them to federal-tracking@rutgers.edu.

A Jan. 27, 2025, federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo directed a pause on many types of federal spending, including research grants and contracts. The memo’s stated purpose was to allow federal agencies to conduct a comprehensive review of programs that may be affected by executive orders. On Jan. 29, 2025, the OMB rescinded the memo. Other federal efforts to implement the president’s executive orders remain in effect. Here is current guidance related to federal funding.

Q: Should I stop my research activities if they involve federal funding?

A: No, you should not stop working on any sponsored awards. Please continue preparing and submitting proposals according to the published agency deadlines in the relevant RFA. If you have questions, please seek guidance from your assigned grant specialist. A legal contract governs each sponsored award, and your grant specialist must confirm decisions regarding officially stopping work.

For more information and updates, please refer to these commonly asked questions on the Office for Research website.

Q: What should I do if I receive a stop-work order for activities funded by federal grants?

A: For researchers who receive stop-work orders for activities funded by federal grants, please forward all stop-work orders to federal-tracking@rutgers.edu and notify your chancellor’s office or the cabinet officer in your area.

Rutgers Office for Research will collect these orders and provide the recipient with appropriate guidance when it becomes available. If you receive a stop-work order, do not take action until you submit it to the email above and speak with your grant specialist. Sponsored awards are governed by legal contracts. Any decisions should be made in collaboration with your grant specialist, who will work directly with senior leadership to provide you with the proper guidance.

Q: Should I stop working on any sponsored research awards?

A: No, you should not stop working on any sponsored awards unless you have spoken with and receive guidance from your assigned grant specialist.

For more information on what faculty, research staff, and research leaders need to know regarding potential changes to federal government priorities and policies, you can refer to these commonly asked questions on the Office for Research website.

Q: What is the National Institutes of Health (NIH) freeze on communications, travel, meetings and other functions and how does it affect Rutgers faculty and staff?

A: As is often typical, new presidential administrations pause government operations to review ongoing activities, programs, regulations, guidance documents, and communications as the new administration implements new policies. One such action taken through Feb. 1, 2025, includes an immediate pause issued by the Department of Health and Human Services’ acting secretary on communications, meetings, and travel at federal agencies, including the NIH. A clarification issued on Monday, January 27, by the acting NIH director noted NIH and NIH-funded clinical trials are ongoing but that funding on new projects remains on hold. Meanwhile, some grant-related activities reportedly have resumed and we will continue to follow the evolving situation.

Q: Did Rutgers cancel the virtual mini-conference, “HBCU’s and Registered Apprenticeship,” on Jan. 30?

A: No. Rutgers did not unilaterally or preemptively cancel the virtual conference. The conference was canceled after external federally funded planners received a “stop work” order from the federal Department of Labor (DOL). The conference organizers, content creators and providers were from the Jobs for the Future Innovation Hub for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, which is funded by the DOL and received the stop work order. Because they could no longer participate, there was no way for the conference to continue.
A Jan. 27, 2025 federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo directed a pause on many types of federal spending, including research grants and contracts. The memo’s stated purpose was to allow federal agencies to conduct a comprehensive review of programs that may be affected by executive orders. On Jan. 29, 2025, the OMB rescinded the memo. Other federal efforts to implement the president’s executive orders remain in effect.

Q: Have payments been interrupted or stopped to students who receive federal aid such as Pell Grants and Federal Work Study?

A: No, federal student aid has not been interrupted or stopped. These payments continue. Rutgers is committed to ensuring students have an uninterrupted academic journey. When and if there is information from the federal government pertaining to federal student aid, we will share it along with any needed guidance through ScarletHub.
Rutgers is closely monitoring federal policy that may impact our international students, faculty, scholars, and staff.

Our international students and scholars are central to our mission, and in times of challenge and uncertainty, the university remains dedicated to fostering a secure and supportive academic environment for all our international students, scholars, faculty, and staff.

Q: Where can I find more about presidential executive orders, fact sheets, and information related to immigration and global engagement?

A: Information may be found on the Rutgers Global Alerts webpage.

Q: I am involved in a U.S. government-funded international research or a training program that may be impacted. Where can I go for guidance?

A: Stay in contact with your academic department/advisor and the Rutgers Office for Research and seek guidance before taking any steps. Any funding and stop-work related questions should be directed to federal-tracking@rutgers.edu.

Q: What internal resources are available to international students at Rutgers?

A: International students and scholars can contact Rutgers Global at immigration@global.rutgers.edu with questions and concerns and can refer to the resources listed below for detailed information, advice, and support.
- ISSS Student Advising Services – 848-932-7015
- Counseling Services or call 848-932-7884
- Offices of the Dean of Students Advocacy, Outreach and Support
  email: deanofstudents@echo.rutgers.edu
  phone: 848-932-2300
- Scarlet Well – a Rutgers-New Brunswick wellness program
- Student Legal Services – 848-932-4529
Q: What additional external resources are available to international students?

A: Community members can refer to the resources listed below and on the Rutgers Global Alerts page for additional information.
- Association of International Educators (NAFSA): Executive and Regulatory Actions Under the Second Trump Administration
- Whitehouse.gov list of Presidential Actions
- Visa Appointment Wait Times
- Department of State Travel Advisories
Q: What should I do if I see federal authorities enter a Rutgers facility?

A: Contact RUPD. You should immediately call the Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD) and provide the information you have.

Defer to RUPD. Let the federal authorities know you have been instructed to contact RUPD and that you are not authorized to grant access to the facility. Notify them that RUPD is en route and ask them to wait where they are until RUPD officers arrive.

Do not engage. Your only responsibility is to call RUPD and let the federal authorities know that campus police are en route. Do not engage further with federal authorities. RUPD will interact with them.

Here are the phone numbers to contact RUPD across Rutgers campuses.
- Rutgers University–Camden: 856-225-6111
- Rutgers University–Newark: 973-353-5111
- Rutgers University–New Brunswick: 732-932-7211
- Rutgers Health at Newark: 973-972-4491
- Rutgers Health in and around New Brunswick: 732-932-7211
Q: What should I do if federal authorities seek to question me?

A: Know and invoke your rights. You have the right to remain silent.

You have the right to consult with an attorney before answering any questions.

You have the right to refuse to consent to search unless the officer can produce a judicial search warrant.

Contact RUPD. You should inform the federal authorities that you are invoking your constitutional rights and that you are contacting RUPD as instructed by the university. RUPD will interact with them.

Do not run. Ask the agent if you are free to go. If the answer is yes, walk away calmly. If the answer is no, wait for the RUPD to interact with the federal authorities. If the officer indicates that you are under arrest and the RUPD has not arrived, request to see a judicial arrest warrant but comply with any lawful order.

Do not sign anything without first speaking with an attorney.

Students may seek free, confidential legal consultations through the law school's Rutgers Immigrant Community Assistance Project.

Q: Is the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) allowed on Rutgers campuses?

A: Yes. Federal authorities, including immigration authorities, are not precluded from being on campus. In addition, a Jan. 20 Department of Homeland Security directive removed a federal policy that largely protected “sensitive” areas like churches, schools, and hospitals from being targets of immigration activity.

However, federal authorities are precluded from directing the Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD) to serve as agents in their stead.

Rutgers is committed to ensuring that any federal enforcement actions on campus adhere to due process, including the requirement of a warrant when necessary. In the event federal immigration authorities do show up on Rutgers University property, RUPD should be immediately notified.

RUPD will serve as the point of contact, respond, and meet with the federal immigration authorities to determine their purpose on campus, verify their credentials, and ensure the necessary paperwork is in order. Upon verification of the judicial warrant or other court order, RUPD will not have the authority to interfere.

Here are phone numbers to contact RUPD across Rutgers campuses.
- Rutgers University–Camden: 856-225-6111
- Rutgers University–Newark: 973-353-5111
- Rutgers University–New Brunswick: 732-932-7211
- Rutgers Health at Newark: 973-972-4491
- Rutgers Health in and around New Brunswick: 732-932-7211
Q: Will the university be notified in advance of any immigration activities taking place on campus?

A: We currently have no information that federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other federal enforcement agencies are or will be on campus, nor do we have an expectation that we will receive advance notice if enforcement actions take place on or near campus.

Q: What should Rutgers Health faculty, staff, and students do if immigration authorities enter clinical settings?

A: In the event federal immigration authorities show up in Rutgers Health clinical settings, RUPD should be immediately notified.

RUPD will serve as the point of contact, respond, and meet with the federal immigration authorities to determine their purpose on campus, verify their credentials, and ensure the necessary paperwork is in order. Upon verification of the judicial warrant or other court order, RUPD will not have the authority to interfere. RUPD will coordinate with the appropriate local authorities if the clinical facility is located off-campus.

In addition, a Jan. 20 Department of Homeland Security directive removed a federal policy that largely protected “sensitive” areas like churches, schools, and hospitals from being targets of immigration activity.

Q: What steps is Rutgers taking to protect students’ privacy?

A: Rutgers protects the privacy of all our students and their records. We do not share student records unless required by law. Further, the Rutgers University Police Department does not ask for or document the immigration status of students or other persons unless a serious crime has been committed.

Q: Are RUPD officers trained on how to handle interactions with immigration authorities?

A: Yes. The RUPD maintains and is trained on policies and procedures that are in accordance with New Jersey Attorney General Directive 2018-6, known as the Immigrant Trust Directive.

In 2018, the State of New Jersey issued the Immigrant Trust Directive, which provided guidance on federal immigration initiatives to all law enforcement agencies in the State of New Jersey. This directive has the full weight of law, and the university is guided by it.

The summary and full version of the directive can be reviewed here:
Summary [PDF]
Full Version [PDF]
Q: Where can I go with questions and for guidance and support on issues related to potential impact of these executive orders?

A: For confidential guidance and resources, students should reach out to the deans of student offices at each campus.
For students who are troubled or anxious about these federal directives and actions, you have access to counseling professionals at student health service locations.
Q: Does Rutgers protect the privacy of students?

A: Know that Rutgers protects the privacy of all its students and their records. The university does not share student records unless required by law. Under the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), students can control the information that appears in the Rutgers Online Directory.

Q: I am a student with immigration concerns. Where can I get help?

A: Students may seek free, confidential legal consultations through the law school's Rutgers Immigrant Community Assistance Project (RICAP). RICAP offers personalized assistance based on your campus and age to Rutgers students who have immigration concerns and are looking for more information. Additionally, the offices of the deans of students listed below can offer confidential guidance and resources.
Rutgers is working to understand the impact and legality of all of the federal executive orders that may affect our university community, including directives regarding support for gender-affirming care to hospitals, clinics, and other medical organizations that provide care to transgender youth under age 19, transgender troops serving in the military, and measures to combat antisemitism. We will provide more information as it becomes available.