In a remarkable shift for the scientific community, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced the resumption of its core operations following disruptions caused by recent executive orders. As one of America’s primary federal agencies supporting scientific research, the NSF’s temporary slowdown created significant ripples throughout academia and research institutions nationwide.
The agency has now restored proposal processing and review activities, restarted its Award Cash Management Service (ACM), and begun rescheduling previously postponed review panels. This development represents a critical turning point for researchers who depend on NSF funding to advance their work across disciplines.
Executive – What Researchers Need to Know
The NSF has structured its guidance into three distinct categories to help the scientific community navigate this transition period: information for panelists and reviewers, guidance for proposers, and updates for current NSF awardees.
For those serving as reviewers or panelists, the agency confirms it is conducting review panels again, though some adjustments are being made to previously scheduled meetings. The NSF encourages panel members to contact their meeting coordinators directly with specific questions about logistics, merit review processes, or potential conflicts of interest.
Researchers planning to submit proposals should note that proposal processing has fully resumed. The agency is currently updating relevant funding opportunities and corresponding submission dates. Those with questions about specific solicitations should contact the program officers listed on funding announcements.
Perhaps most importantly for current grant holders, access to the Award Cash Management Service has been restored as of February 2, 2025, allowing institutions to process payment requests after a brief interruption.
Executive – Addressing Common Concerns
The NSF has compiled an extensive FAQ section that tackles many questions circulating in the scientific community. Key clarifications include:
- Ad hoc reviews are proceeding
- Merit review criteria remain unchanged
- Panel reviewers may be eligible for reimbursement of non-refundable hotel costs
- Researchers can revise already-submitted proposals in some circumstances
The agency has also provided program-specific guidance on popular initiatives like Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), CAREER proposals, Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) grants, and the Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP).
“The scientific community has shown remarkable patience during this transition period,” explained an NSF representative who requested anonymity due to the ongoing nature of the changes. “We’re committed to restoring normal operations while ensuring compliance with all executive directives.”
Impact on Ongoing Research
For institutions mid-project, the resumption of the ACM system represents a critical development. Many universities and research centers had expressed concern about covering ongoing expenses during the payment system’s downtime.
“The research doesn’t stop just because the payment system does,” noted Dr. Michael Chen, associate vice president for research at a major Midwestern university. “Having the ACM back online means we can process accumulated expenses and maintain momentum on critical projects.”
Questions remain about how the executive orders might affect specific types of research activities, particularly those involving international collaboration, certain focus areas, or specific types of expenditures. The NSF has indicated it will provide additional guidance as it becomes available.
Looking Forward
The NSF emphasizes that its page on executive order implementation will be updated regularly as new information becomes available. Researchers are encouraged to check back frequently and direct specific questions to the appropriate contacts within the agency.
The agency has not provided specific timelines for when all funding opportunities will be updated or when previously favorable determinations might result in awards. However, the restoration of core systems suggests the most significant disruptions may have passed.
For the broader scientific community, these developments signal a gradual return to operational normalcy, though with potential changes to certain processes, priorities, or requirements. Researchers planning to engage with the NSF are advised to carefully review updated guidance and maintain close communication with program officers.
As one research administrator put it, “Science doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it operates within broader policy contexts. What matters now is adapting to whatever new parameters emerge while continuing to pursue important work.”
The scientific community now watches closely as additional details emerge about how these executive orders will shape federal research funding in the months and years ahead.
