Dear Colleagues,

As we have shared over the past few months, federal policies regarding research funding are evolving rapidly. We are seeing new certification requirements and conditions being included in grant awards and applications from federal agencies, and we need your assistance in identifying any new certifications or conditions on funding. This is essential to preserve NJIT’s eligibility to receive federal grants.

Please immediately bring to our attention any new certifications or conditions you find in a grant application, Notice of Award, or other communication with the funding agency, which may include language specifically related to:

  • Presidential Executive Orders
  •  Indirect cost caps (e.g., a 15% cap) that fall outside our standard negotiated rates
  • DEI/DEIA or equity initiatives
  •  "Gender ideology" or definitions of sex
  • Any other atypical language or requirements

Please forward any such language to Eric Hetherington, Associate Vice Provost for Sponsored Research Administration, at eric.d.hetherington@njit.edu. If you find this language in a grant application, a grant renewal, or during discussions with an agency (before a Notice of Award), please pause and wait for guidance from Eric before taking any further action.

We appreciate your partnership as we work to protect our research enterprise. Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

John A. Pelesko
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs