Dear Colleagues,
We know many of you have questions about the recent federal funding freeze announced by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on January 27, 2025, and what it means for you, your colleagues, and the University of Tennessee. The OMB memorandum (M-25-13), which would have directed federal agencies to temporarily pause certain grant, loan, and financial assistance activities, has just been rescinded.
We are also aware there are presidential executive orders and agency stop-work orders that may have an impact on your work. We are actively monitoring the situation and working closely with our state and federal partners to assess the impact on UT and our research, academic, and operational activities. UT’s Office of General Counsel and our government relations team are evaluating all available information to ensure compliance and to support our faculty, staff, and students through this period of uncertainty.
For now, unless you have been specifically contacted regarding stop-work orders related to your grant, please continue your work as usual. Campus offices of research will communicate more detailed information as necessary.
We will continue to keep you informed as new details emerge.
Thank you for your patience and commitment to UT.
Randy Boyd
President, University of Tennessee System