Monitoring Federal Changes 2025

View all research updates at www.research.uky.edu/federal-changes-2025.

May 15: Federal Judge Blocks Cuts to DOE Indirect Costs 

A federal judge in Massachusetts granted an injunction to block the Department of Energy (DOE) from reducing funding that helps universities conduct advanced research. The decision involved a proposed cap of 15 percent on indirect costs. Read more on nytimes.com. UK community members have free access to digital versions of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal by subscribing through UK Libraries.

May 2: Indirect Rates for NSF grants

On Friday, May 2, the Trump administration instituted a 15 percent cap on indirect rates for National Science Foundation grants, effective on all new awards beginning May 5. You can read more about that order here: https://www.nsf.gov/policies/document/indirect-cost-rate. The University of Kentucky will submit new NSF proposals at the currently negotiated rate of 54% but will also note that the University will accept the 15% if it is ultimately implemented. The Association of Public and Land Grant Universities – of which the University of Kentucky is a member – filed a lawsuit today, seeking to block this order. As that litigation progresses, we will update this information.

April 21: NIH Issues New Civil Rights Term and Condition of Award

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued a Notice, effective immediately, with a new Civil Rights term and condition that modifies the current terms and conditions for all grants, cooperative agreements and other transaction (OT) awards. View the full notice here. 

April 16: Federal Judge Blocks Cuts to DOE Indirect Costs 

A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order, temporarily blocking the Department of Energy from cutting its support of indirect costs to 15%. 

April 11: DOE to Reduce Indirect Costs to 15%

In a new policy memorandum shared with grant recipients at colleges and universities, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it will limit financial support of “indirect costs” of DOE research funding to 15%. Learn more here. 

• The Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) – of which UK is a member – along with the Association of American Universities (AAU) and American Council on Education (ACE) filed litigation on April 14 challenging this action. Read more about the litigation here.

March 7: Foreign Assistance Review emails

We are aware that some UK investigators have received emails requesting they undertake a “Foreign Assistance Review” from federal agencies. If you receive a such an email, please do not respond but instead send that federal agency communication and any other questions specifically related to research awards to ospa@uky.edu and vpr@uky.edu. Those offices will communicate with you to coordinate any required response.

Feb. 21: Federal Judge Extends Pause on Cuts to NIH Indirect Costs

A federal judge has kept in place an order blocking the administration from implementing a cap on how much indirect costs the National Institutes of Health pays grant recipients. The temporary restraining order was set to expire on Monday, Feb. 24, and has been extended until U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley can make a final decision on whether to issue an injunction on the proposed change. Read more on nytimes.com. UK community members have free access to digital versions of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal by subscribing through UK Libraries.

Feb. 11: Judge Blocks Cuts to NIH Indirect Costs 

A federal judge in Boston ordered a nationwide temporary pause on plans by the National Institutes of Health to substantially slash indirect cost reimbursements for research to universities, medical centers and other grant recipients. Read more on nytimes.com. UK community members have free access to digital versions of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal by subscribing through UK Libraries.

Feb. 10: NIH Notice on Indirect Cost Rates

•  The National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued guidance on Feb. 7 regarding cuts to federal research grants. Specifically, the NIH announced it would cap the rate for what are known as “indirect costs” to 15% for all existing and new NIH contract awards. On Feb. 10, litigation was filed by multiple states challenging this decision.
• If this policy change is enacted, it will impact the way we do research at the University of Kentucky. It will cost UK tens of millions of dollars annually and will hit our local and state economies. More important than any numbers, though, it will impact the work we do to advance the health of Kentucky in those areas most critical to our future — including cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and addiction.

What does this specific policy directive from the NIH mean?

• The NIH is the largest funder of health research in America. In the past five years the University of Kentucky — as a major health research and clinical institution — received an annual average of $159 million in NIH awards (grants and contracts).
• Those awards fund basic science research into the diseases and illnesses that most impact Kentucky: cancer, diabetes, heart disease, children’s health, aging-related illness, opioid use disorder and many others.
• Awards have two major components. There are direct costs — dollars directly associated with the scientific research in question.
• And there are indirect costs — what are often called Facilities and Administration or F&A. Those are dollars associated with the award to pay for items that make that research possible. That could be the construction and outfitting of a lab, research equipment, utilities such as ventilation, heat and lighting, associated technology and graduate students who work in the lab setting.
• That indirect cost or rate is negotiated for a period of time between an institution — like UK — and the NIH. Those rates range from 20% of the cost of a grant to 54%, depending upon the research being conducted and the terms of the award.
• For example, a $1 million grant with a 37% indirect rate would mean that $1 million directly funds research; $370,000 ultimately goes to the university to allocate to pay those support costs, like facilities, equipment, technology and personnel. The structure for how those dollars can be used is very prescribed.
• Cutting the rate to 15% — what the NIH has described as a benchmark for what private foundations that award grants provide — would cut tens of millions of dollars in essential support services to scientists and clinicians who are asking the most important questions about the biggest health challenges Kentucky faces. This one change, if enacted for the next 12 months, would represent a cut of at least $40 million to the University and its critical research efforts on behalf of the health of our state.  
• Too, the comparison between a private foundation providing a grant around research in education policy, for example, simply does not involve the same cost or cost structure as a basic science grant that could include building and lab space and all the supports that go along with that infrastructure. The complicated discovery and research our investigators perform cost more than the research often funded by private foundations.

How the university is responding:

• Our government relations team is meeting with our congressional delegation and others to communicate how fundamentally important and serious this issue is to our community and all those we serve through discovery and healing.
• Our cabinet, deans and other leaders are meeting regularly to confer on this and other issues to ensure we remain careful and prudent stewards of our resources — that we are moving thoughtfully to protect what we do and the future of our research enterprise.
• We will comply with all federal and state laws and policies. That is our responsibility. At the same time, we will forcefully advocate
  for what we do and our vital mission to advance this state. This includes advocating for the restoration of these critical research dollars.
• We will continue to keep you informed of important updates.

Jan. 29: Rescission of OMB Federal Aid Pause

• The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) rescinded its pause on federal agency grant, loan and other financial assistance programs on Jan. 29.
• As of Jan. 29, unless you have received a notice to suspend activities for a specific award from a sponsor, you can continue your research activities.

Executive actions:

March 20: "Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities" Executive Order

• This order directs the U.S. Secretary of Education to "the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law, take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return authority over education to the States and local communities while ensuring the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely."
• President Trump has said the federal student loan portfolio and Pell Grants, as well as programs for students with disabilities, will move to other departments, such as the Small Business Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services, respectively.
• A full closure of the department will require congressional approval.
• The university is monitoring this matter and will continue to assess its potential impacts.

March 11: U.S. Department of Education Initiates Reduction in Force

• The U.S. Department of Education announced on March 11 a reduction in force impacting nearly 50% of the department’s workforce.
• The department  stated that it will continue to deliver on "all statutory programs that fall under the agency’s purview, including formula funding, student loans, Pell Grants, funding for special needs students, and competitive grantmaking."
• On March 13, several states filed litigation challenging the reduction in force.

• Under an interim final rule published on March 12, the federal government recently announced that it has established a process for noncitizens to register with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) pursuant to an existing immigration law. Most noncitizens who obtained a visa and were fingerprinted have already registered, unless under the age of 14 at the time of visa issuance. However, this rule reinforces the requirement, clarifies penalties for non-compliance and establishes an online process for those who are not registered.
• If required to do so, individuals can register themselves or their children now at www.uscis.gov/alienregistration. The new rule goes into effect on April 11.
• All noncitizens ages 18 or older are also required to always carry proof of registration such as a copy of your I-94, confirmation of registration or green card. Failure to register and/or carry proof of registration could lead to criminal prosecution.
• In addition, individuals who are not citizens are required to notify United States Citizenship and Immigration Services of any address changes within 10 days by filing form AR-11 online, except for those in F-1 and J-1 visa status who change their address through the university.  Failure to do so could result in criminal prosecution.
• Find detailed information about registration requirements and how to register at www.uscis.gov/alienregistration.

Current guidance on visas and maintaining lawful status: 

• Students (F-1 and J-1 visas)
• Faculty, staff and researchers (J-1 and H1-B visas and Green Card holders) 

Study Abroad and International Exchange:

• In early March, international education associations and media outlets reported a freeze on the U.S. Department of State’s grant funding for study abroad and international exchange programs.
• As of March 13, some funding has reportedly been dispersed to organizations administering State Department study abroad and exchange programs.
• The university is monitoring the situation. Students can contact Education Abroad and Exchanges with questions.

Executive Orders: 

Jan. 29: "Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism” Executive Order

• This order may have implications for international student visas. View the executive order and factsheet to learn more.

Jan. 20: Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats” Executive Order

• This order requires “enhanced vetting” and screening of individuals both seeking admission to and already in the U.S. The order further requires the evaluation of all visa programs to “ensure that they are not used by foreign nation-states or other hostile actors to harm the security, economic, political, cultural, or other national interests of the United States.”
• As of today, no travel restrictions (bans) are in effect. While the order requires the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security, with the Attorney General and Director of National Intelligence, to produce a report identifying countries with insufficient vetting and security processes to warrant suspending admission of these nationals to the U.S., there are no public details on what countries will be affected by the report.

Jan. 20: “America First Policy Directive to the Secretary of State” Executive Order

• This order directs the Department of State to align all policies and programs with an “America First” approach, which could have implications for State Department-funded international exchange and study abroad programs.

Executive Actions: 

Jan. 21: Rescission of Biden Administration “Protected Areas” Immigration Enforcement Policy 

• Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman rescinded the Biden Administration’s policy memo on immigration enforcement actions in or near protected areas.
• The rescission of the 2021 policy memo means that there are no longer any specific protected areas such as schools, hospitals or churches under current policy. 

Jan. 20: “Securing our Borders” Executive Order

• This order includes several provisions, including “deterring and preventing the unlawful entry of aliens into the country, detaining and removing aliens in violation of immigration law, and partnering with state and local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration law.”  

Jan. 20: "Protecting the American People Against Invasion” Executive Order

• This order allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to deputize state and local law enforcement officials to serve as immigration officers and permits the Secretary of the Treasury to facilitate all visa bonds permitted under law.
• The order directs the review of Temporary Protected Status designations made by the Biden administration and directs the Secretary of State, Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to ensure that employment authorizations are provided in a manner consistent with federal law.
• Under the order, “sanctuary jurisdictions” are not permitted to receive federal funds. 

Responding to Federal Law Enforcement:  

The university is not aware of any requests or actions from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other federal law enforcement agencies at this time.

The following information is general guidance on how to appropriately respond to federal law enforcement officers if you were to encounter them on UK property, or if you were to receive a request for information. 

University faculty, staff and students:

1. Notify university authorities:
   1. If you encounter federal law enforcement on campus or receive a request for information, contact UKPD (859-257-8573) and the Office of Legal Counsel (UKOfficeofLegalCounsel@uky.edu, 859-257-2936) to inform them of the situation.
2. Document the situation:
   1. Document the date, time and details of the interaction.
3. Do not interfere with law enforcement:
   1. While you have the right to document and report the interaction, do not physically obstruct or interfere with agents. 

UK HealthCare employees:

1. If you encounter federal law enforcement within UK HealthCare facilities or receive a request for information, contact your supervisor or unit administrator.
2. Follow existing protocols on unanticipated visits from law enforcement.

Federal Privacy Protections:

Students

• UK complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Under FERPA, all university students, regardless of immigration status, are entitled to certain privacy protections.
• It is important to forward any request for student information to the Office of Legal Counsel before any action is taken. Generally, student records maintained by the institution cannot be disclosed without written consent or a lawfully issued subpoena, judicial warrant or court order.
• We will continue to adhere to these requirements.

Patients

• UK HealthCare complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which protects the privacy of an individual’s health information.
• While immigration status alone is not typically considered personal health information, it could       be under certain circumstances and should not be disclosed unless the patient consents. Any questions should be referred to the Chief Privacy Officer or the Office of Corporate Compliance.
• Additionally, health care providers do not inquire into a patient’s immigration status or report it to authorities.

University Guidance: 

In compliance with federal directives, state law and university policies, institutional resources may not be expended on: 

• Hosting or attending any diversity, equity or inclusion training
• Hosting or attending identity-based events or activities
  • (In House Bill 4, this includes events or activities that differentiate on the basis of religion, race, sex, color or national origin.)

These policies do not limit academic freedom and do not apply to: 

• Academic research and scholarship
• Course content or instruction
• Health services based on biological differences
• Registered student organization activities (using their organization's funds) 

These policies do apply to: 

• All other events and activities utilizing university resources
• Sponsorship of external events and activities  
• Professional development conferences and associations, if using institutional funds
  
  • Additional details on conference attendance:
    
    • This policy does not apply to research or scholarship-based conferences.
    • If you go to a conference that is not DEI-related or identity-based but that has DEI-related sessions, you can still attend the overall conference.    

Other relevant policies: 

• Institutional Neutrality Policy  
  
  • Prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual's political or social viewpoint.
  • Prohibits official positions on or institutional statements about societal issues and events that do not directly impact the mission or function of the university. 

If you have questions about compliance with these policies, please email govquestions@uky.edu.

Executive Actions and Court Rulings: 

August 21: Supreme Court Issues Fractured Ruling on NIH Cuts

• In a fractured ruling, the Supreme Court ruled by a 5-to-4 vote that the Trump administration could for now cancel more than $780 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health that the government said had been intended to explore topics like diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, gender ideology and vaccine hesitancy. But a different five-justice majority let stand for now a lower court’s ruling that the administration’s underlying policy directing the cuts was probably unlawful and should be put on hold.
• UK community members have free access to digital versions of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal by subscribing through UK Libraries.

July 29: Department of Justice Memo for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination

• Attorney General Pam Bondi’s recent memo provides guidance for recipients of federal funding regarding unlawful discrimination. A team of UK officials is assessing any impact this guidance may have on the university.

June 17: Judge Orders NIH to Restore Research Grants Related to Diversity

• A federal judge has ordered the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to reinstate hundreds of research grants that were canceled under the Trump administration. The judge ruled the terminations — many affecting studies on race, gender identity, LGBTQ health and related topics — were discriminatory and lacked legal justification.
• The order is preliminary and may be appealed.

May 19: Department of Justice Establishes Civil Rights Fraud Initiative

• The Department of Justice announced the establishment of the Civil Rights Fraud Initiative, which will utilize the False Claims Act to investigate and, as appropriate, pursue claims against institutions that receive federal funds and knowingly violate federal civil rights laws.
• Violations of the False Claims Act can result in treble damages and significant penalties.

March 14: U.S. Department of Education Announces Title VI Investigations

• The federal Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights announced that  45 universities – including the University of Kentucky – are under review regarding the use of “racial preferences and stereotypes in education programs and activities.” You can review the department's news release here.
• The university complies with both the constitution and Title VI. Our graduate programs are open to all qualified applicants. However, as part of efforts to ensure we are in compliance with executive orders and other directives from the federal and state governments, the University of Kentucky discontinued its membership with The PhD Project, effective March 17. We will cooperate with the Department of Education on this inquiry and, as always, comply with the law.

Feb. 28: U.S. Department of Education Releases Frequently Asked Questions Document

• The U.S. Department of Education released a Frequently Asked Questions document regarding its guidance around race-based programming issued in a Feb. 14 "Dear Colleague" letter. The document can be found at https://www.ed.gov/media/document/frequently-asked-questions-about-racial-preferences-and-stereotypes-under-title-vi-of-civil-rights-act-109530.pdf.
• As mentioned before, given the changes that President Capilouto made in response to Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard – and his subsequent decisions on policies and practices that have reinforced and strengthened our focus on being a place that supports many people, one community – the university’s initial assessment is that it already complies with this guidance. However, we continue to carefully review this and other guidance issued.

Feb. 21: Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump’s Anti-DEI Orders

• A federal judge on Friday issued a preliminary injunction temporarily blocking much of the Trump administration’s sweeping effort to stamp out diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and policies nationwide.

Feb. 14: U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights “Dear Colleague” Letter

• The U.S. Department of Education sent a Dear Colleague Letter to educational institutions receiving federal funds notifying them that they must not use race preferences and stereotypes as a factor in their admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, sanctions, discipline and beyond.
• Institutions that fail to comply may, consistent with applicable law, face investigation and loss of federal funding. The Department will begin assessing compliance beginning no later than 14 days from issuance of the letter.
• As with any guidance, we are carefully reviewing. However, given the changes that President Capilouto made in response to Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard – and his subsequent decisions on policies and practices that have reinforced and strengthened our focus on being a place that supports many people, one community – the university’s initial assessment is that it already complies with this guidance.

Jan. 21: “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” Executive Order: Issued Jan. 21 

• Under this order, the Department of Labor Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs will cease “allowing or encouraging federal contractors and subcontractors to engage in workforce balancing based on race, color, sex, sexual preference, religion, or national origin.” The head of “each agency” shall include in every contract or grant award a term requiring the contractual counterparty or grant recipient to agree that its compliance in all respects with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws is material to the government’s payment decisions for purposes of section 3729(b)(4) of title 31, United States Code; and a term requiring such counterparty or recipient to certify that it does not operate any programs promoting DEI that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws.
• Further, “each agency shall identify up to nine potential civil compliance investigations of publicly traded corporations, large non-profit corporations or associations, foundations with assets of 500 million dollars or more, State and local bar and medical associations, and institutions of higher education with endowments over 1 billion dollars.”
• Additionally, “within 120 days of this order, the Attorney General and the Secretary of Education shall jointly issue guidance to all State and local educational agencies that receive Federal funds, as well as all institutions of higher education that receive Federal grants or participate in the Federal student loan assistance program under Title IV of the Higher Education Act, 20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq., regarding the measures and practices required to comply with Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, 600 U.S. 181 (2023).”  

Jan. 20: “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth To The Federal Government” Executive Order

• This order defines sex strictly as male or female, directing agencies and federal employees to enforce sex-protective laws without recognizing other gender identities. It requires the Secretaries of State, DHS and OPM to update identification documents, such as passports and visas, to align with this definition.
• The order also prohibits federal funding for promoting gender ideology, leaving agencies discretion to assess grants.
• While it mandates changes to Bureau of Prisons medical care policies, it does not address private or academic healthcare. 

Jan. 5: “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” Executive Order

• This order directs the Secretary of Education to enforce Title IX “to oppose male competitive participation in women’s sports” and calls for collaboration with athletic organizations and state officials to uphold sex-based sports classifications. The order also directs all executive departments and agencies to rescind grant funding for institutions that fail to comply.
• The university has always complied with Title IX. The university will continue to comply with federal law and NCAA rules.

Executive Actions:

May 1: “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media” Executive Order

• This order instructs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to cease direct and indirect funding to NPR and PBS. It also instructs other agencies to cease direct and indirect funding to NPR and PBS. Read the factsheet here.
• On May 27, NPR and three Colorado public radio stations sued the administration over this executive order. CPB has taken no action to withhold money from NPR and PBS, according to media reports.
• UK owns and operates WUKY Radio, a listener-supported public radio station, which could be impacted by funding cuts to NPR. The university is monitoring this issue and the litigation as it progresses.   

The review is required under a resolution agreement with the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR). OCR determined that a university relationship was not compliant with Title VI because the external organization limited participation based on race. You can read more about that initial investigation here: https://pres.uky.edu/news/important-update-on-federal-actions.

Under the resolution agreement, the university is required to identify memberships or partnerships that may raise similar concerns under Title VI or other federal requirements. 

The review process identified more than 60,000 transactions across the university, including UK King’s Daughters and UK St. Claire. From those transactions, 1,831 unique organizations were identified as possible memberships or partnerships for further evaluation.

After review, 1,642 of those organizations were identified as likely memberships or partnerships under the broad definitions required by the resolution agreement. 

The list was created through a broad review of financial and contractual transactions over a multi-year period. Because the review had to be completed within a short timeframe across a large enterprise, the search parameters were intentionally inclusive to ensure that all items that might represent a membership or partnership were captured.

Because the initial search was broad, some entries may reflect transactions that resembled memberships or partnerships within accounting, procurement or contract systems. Some items may ultimately be determined to be purchases, subscriptions or other transactions that are not memberships. Identifying which entries are not actually memberships is part of the next phase of the review. 

Active memberships are those immediately identified as necessary for accreditation, licensure or certification. These memberships continue while the OCR is conducting their review. 

No. The letter reports the outcome of the evaluation required by the OCR resolution agreement. Under that process, approximately 1,200 organizations were identified as potentially meeting the OCR criteria for the termination category. Because the initial search was intentionally broad, some entries on the list may not represent actual memberships or partnerships. The university will work with colleges and units to determine which entries are true memberships so the university can implement the classifications reported to OCR accurately and maintain those that are essential for accreditation, licensure or mission-critical academic, clinical or research functions.

This verification step does not alter the classifications provided to OCR. It ensures that the required actions apply to actual memberships and not to entries that were captured during the initial data pull but may represent purchases, subscriptions or other activities.

The initial assessment had to be completed in a limited timeframe. Some memberships were immediately identified as necessary for accreditation, licensure or other regulatory obligations. Others were flagged for additional review because their purpose was not immediately clear.

No. The remaining list represents an initial identification of items for further review under the resolution agreement. Some may be confirmed as necessary for accreditation, licensure or other institutional obligations, while others may not meet those criteria. Final determinations will be made after a more detailed review with colleges and units. 

No. Registered student organizations will not be canceled. 

Memberships and partnerships are being reviewed using centralized criteria that consider: 

• Whether membership or participation criteria are restricted based on race, gender or similar protected characteristics.
• Whether the membership or partnership is required for accreditation, licensure or certification.
• Whether the membership or partnership is essential to core academic, clinical, research or service functions and is supported by documented institutional obligations.

Mission-critical memberships or partnerships are those that the university is contractually, formally or operationally obligated to maintain in order to carry our essential institutional functions.

A membership or partnership may be considered mission-critical when:

• Required by accreditation, licensure or certification
  • I.e., the university must hold the membership for a program to remain accredited.
  • Faculty must hold the membership for licensure or certification to be maintained.
• Required by law, regulation or formal external mandate, or required by grant, contract or regulatory obligations
  • The university is obligated to participate due to federal, state or regulatory requirements.
• Provides unique infrastructure, data, access or services without which the university cannot fulfill core academic, clinical research or extension obligations.
• Directly supports student advancement post-graduation (such as honor societies)
• Directly supports mandatory training, clinical access, facilities use or research compliance.
• Discontinuing the partnership would prevent the university from fulfilling its public commitments or statewide roles

The pause on renewals and new memberships, using institutional funds, begins December 9. 

While the Office for Civil Rights is reviewing the university’s submission and until it provides feedback, the university is pausing approval of new institutional and individual memberships or partnerships that require institutional funding. An exception applies when a membership or partnership is required for accreditation, licensure or certification.

Renewals involve new institutional expenditures and are subject to the same requirements as new memberships or partnerships. Until the Office for Civil Rights completes its review and the university develops further guidelines, renewals that are not required for accreditation or licensure are included in the pause. 

No. Salary savings and all other funds that flow through the university are institutional funds. All institutional funds must comply with the same federal requirements. If a membership is paused for compliance reasons, it cannot be purchased with institutional funds from any source. 

No. Grant funds and other external funds that flow through the university are institutional funds. Institutional funds, regardless of source, must follow the same federal requirements and the terms of the resolution agreement. Memberships or partnerships that cannot be purchased with university funds during the pause cannot be purchased with grant funds or other university-administered accounts.

No. Memberships or partnerships that are required for accreditation, licensure or other regulatory obligations will continue. These requirements are documented and must be maintained for the university to meet its academic and clinical responsibilities. 

Yes. Individuals may continue participating in professional communities, but no new membership payments or renewals will be processed until we receive federal guidance and can issue clear university-wide criteria for future decisions.

Yes. Individuals may receive institutional support to present scholarly work at conferences that are identity-based when they are participating in a documented scholarly role, such as presenting a paper, serving on a panel or providing formal academic contributions. However, the university cannot pay for attendance at identity-based conferences when the individual is attending only to observe, attend sessions or network. Individuals may still attend such conferences at their own expense.

No. The temporary limitations on institutional funding for renewing or approving new memberships or partnerships do not change the criteria used for promotion and tenure. Faculty may continue to participate in their disciplines and present scholarly work.

The pause will remain in effect until the Office for Civil Rights completes its review of the university’s submission and provides feedback. After that occurs, the university will issue updated guidance and a long-term framework for evaluating memberships and related expenditures. 

The university is awaiting feedback from the Office for Civil Rights on the submitted report. After OCR provides direction, the university will finalize its review with colleges and units and issue updated guidance. 

• The university will:
  • Work with colleges and units to review memberships that were flagged for further evaluation.
  • Determine which memberships are required for accreditation, licensure or mission-critical academic, clinical or research functions.
  • Identify memberships or partnerships that may not be consistent with evolving federal and state requirements.
• Once OCR provides its feedback, and the university also completes its further review, the university will adjust its guidance as needed and share updated information with the campus community. 

• The final legislative package will reduce supplemental Medicaid payments for hospitals, beginning in 2028, by 10 percent a year for several years. It will take the funding we receive for treating patients to levels far below our cost for providing the advanced, specialty care that only we offer.
• Reductions in funding can also significantly impact our efforts to extend access — particularly among rural populations that make up so much of our patient base — and for preventive services and primary care.

• The legislative package eliminates funding for a program called SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — Education).
• These are federal dollars that flow through state governments to provide nutrition education programs for people with lower incomes designed to help ensure more Kentuckians understand the importance of a nutritious and balanced diet.
• UK’s Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE) administers this critical program for the state through our Cooperative Extension offices.
• CAFE Dean Laura Stephenson and her team will be having conversations with the CAFE community in the coming days about how best to move forward.

• The legislative package makes significant changes to some of the federal grant and loan programs for students.
• Those dollars typically flow directly to students and families, not the university.
• We are still analyzing the final package with respect to these important issues and will work closely with our students to provide counsel and support.