The Committee on Governmental Relations (COGR) June 2025 reports present the preliminary findings of the Transition Impact Survey, Phase II, which explores the repercussions of recent changes in federal research funding policies on U.S. academic and research institutions. With responses from 63 institutions representing various regions and sizes—public and private universities, medical schools, and others—the survey found almost universal reports of increased administrative burden following January 2025. Notably, 97% of respondents received complex and time-consuming requests from federal agencies for additional information on payment requests related to grants or contracts, often resulting in paused or denied reimbursements. Furthermore, nearly all institutions surveyed experienced government-initiated terminations of grants and contracts, primarily from agencies such as NIH, NSF, and USAID. These terminations had substantial financial consequences; over half of institutions reported more than $5 million remaining on canceled projects, and most had attempted to appeal or mitigate the effects through various strategies.
The data additionally reveal far-reaching operational and workforce impacts, including reductions in federal research portfolios, layoffs, slashed administrative support, and fewer postdoctoral and graduate positions—threatening the research infrastructure of numerous institutions. A particularly concerning development is the anticipated negative effect of a 15% indirect cost rate reduction, with more than 90% of institutions suggesting it will hinder their ability to engage in federally funded research. In response to these ongoing challenges, COGR’s committees—spanning cost compliance, contracts and grants, research security, and ethics—are engaging with federal agencies to clarify compliance requirements, advocate for workable solutions, and develop guidance for institutional policy adaptation. While a complete analysis is forthcoming, these preliminary findings highlight escalating administrative demands, significant financial risks, and strategic shifts in research operations, underscoring the need for ongoing dialogue between research institutions and federal agencies as the landscape evolves.
