COVID-19 Sponsor Guidance – updated 7/1/20
General Federal Guidance
Association of American Universities (AAU)
- Request to Extend OMB’s March 19 Memo M-20-17 (May 28)
- COVID-19 Federal Guidance FAQs (continually updated)
- Letter to Congressional Leaders for Research Relief (April 7)
- Summary of Higher Education and Research Provisions H.R. 748, The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (March 26)
- AAU COVID-19 Resources (AAU login required) (March 18)
- AAU COVID-19 Updates (continually updated)
Council on Governmental Relations (COGR)
- Institutional and Agency Responses to COVID-19 and Additional Resources (Continually updated)
- Research Ramp-Up Roadmap (June 11)
- Request to Extend OMB’s March 19 Memo M-20-17 (May 28)
- May 2020 Update (May 26)
- COGR's COVID-19 Research Impact Study (Due 5/15)
- Federal Agency Guidance Matrix on COVID-19's Impact to Federal Awards V.5 (May 14)
- Federal Agency Guidance on COVID‐19's Impact on Proposals and Awards V.3 (April 15)
- Frequently Asked Questions Regarding COVID-19’s Impact on Federal Awards (Version 2.2) (April 8)
- COGR’s FAQs and Resources on COVID-19’s Impact to Federal Awards (continually updated)
- Frequently Asked Questions Regarding COVID-19’s Impact on Federal Awards (V. 2.0) (March 20)
- Multi Association Request to OMB on Expansion of M-20-11 for Administrative Relief (March 18)
- COGR’s FAQs and Resources on COVID-19’s Impact to Federal Awards (March 16)
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
- Extension of Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) due to Loss of Operations (June 22)
- Implementing the Presidential Transition Act (April 29)
- Implementation Guidance for Supplemental Funding Provided in Response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (April 10)
- M-20-20: Repurposing Existing Federal Financial Assistance Programs and Awards to Support the Emergency Response to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (April 9)
- March Grants Innovation Exchange Session (COVID-19) - March 26 at 12 p.m. ET (Sold Out)
- ENCORE: March Grants Innovation Exchange Session (COVID-19) - March 31 at 3:00 p.m. ET
- Innovation Exchange Session Schedule--Sessions are on the 4th Thursday of the month from 12:00 to 12:45 pm. Sessions will be tentatively held on: April 23, 2020, May 28, 2020, June 25, 2020
- M-20-17: Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) due to Loss of Operations (March 19)
- M-20-11: Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (March 9)
- Lewis-Burke Associates Resources (VUnetID required)
Federal Sponsor Guidance
NIH provides updates on a daily basis. Please regularly check the links below for the latest information.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) COVID-19 Flexibilities for Applicants and Recipients (July 2)
- Applicant/Recipient COVID-19 Update History (June 30)
- Considerations for New and Ongoing Human Subjects Research During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (May 27)
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Information for NIH Applicants and Recipients of NIH Funding (continually updated)
- Clinical Trials Related to COVID-19 (continually updated)
- Open Mike: COVID-19 Funding and Funding Opportunities (April 13)
- Guidance for Cost-Related Flexibilities Available to Support of Competitive Research (SCORE) Award Recipients Affected by COVID-19 (April 9)
- UPDATE: NIH Late Application Policy Due to Public Health Emergency for United States for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (March 26)
- NIH Shifts Non-mission-critical Laboratory Operations to Minimal Maintenance Phase (March 20)
- Guidance for NIH-Funded Clinical Trials and Human Subjects Studies Affected by COVID-19 (March 17)
- Flexibilities Available to Applicants and Recipients of Federal Financial Assistance Affected by COVID-19 (March 17)
- NIH webpage for NIH Applicants and Recipients (March 17)
- NIH Message to Applicants and Recipients of NIH Funds on Flexibilities Needed for COVID-19 (March 17)
- Flexibilities Available to Applicants and Recipients of Federal Financial Assistance Affected by COVID-19 (March 12)
- NIH Late Application Policy, Administrative Flexibilities, and FAQs Related to 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (March 11)
- General Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Proposal Submission and Award Management Related to COVID-19 (March 10)
- NIH LATE APPLICATION POLICY Due to Public Health Emergency for United States for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (March 9)
National Science Foundation (NSF)
- NSF Implementation of OMB Memorandum M-20-26, “Extension of Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) due to Loss of Operations” (June 25)
- Impact on Existing Deadline Dates (June 24)
- Computing Innovations Fellows 2020 (deadline extended to June 17)
- Dear Colleague Letter: IUCRC Program Policy Flexibility in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Situation (June 9)
- Reminder to Maintain Cost Documentation (June 9)
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the NSF Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (NSF 20-052) (June 2)
- Proposals and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (June 1)
- Impact on Existing Deadline Dates (April 28)
- NSF Fact Sheets (countiuous updates)
- NSF Guidance on the Effects of COVID-19 on Human Subjects Research (April 13)
- NSF Implementation of OMB Memorandum M-20-20 (April 10)
- Division of Earth Sciences Virtual Office Hours (April 8)
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for National Science Foundation (NSF) Proposers and Awardees (April 2)
- NSF Implementation of OMB Memorandum M-20-17 (April 1)
- NSF Letter to Community Regarding COVID-19 (March 23)
- NSF Implementation of OMB Memorandum M-20-17 (March 23)
- NSF Coronavirus Information (continually updated)
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for National Science Foundation (NSF) Panelists (March 17)
- NSF Guidance for Major Facilities and Contracts Regarding COVID-19 (March 9)
- NSF information concerning coroCustom Fieldsnavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (March 5)
- Dear Colleague Letter on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (March 4)
- DOD Research Proposers and Awardees Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (June 23)
- Pentagon Reservation Plan for Resilience and Aligning with National Guidelines for Opening Up America Again (June 2)
- DOD Awards $138 Million Contract, Enabling Prefilled Syringes for Future COVID-19 Vaccine (May 20)
- Defense Pricing and Contracting (April 17)
- IC Guiding Principles for the IC Acquisition & Procurement Community on Implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (April 3)
- Implementation Guidance for Section 3610 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (April 9)
Potential Contract Impacts due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) (March 17) - COVID-19 Attachment 1: DOE-NNSA Financial Assistance Guidance to Contracting Officers (Including for Cooperative Agreements) (April 1)
- COVID-19 Attachment 2: DOE-NNSA Implementation of OMB Memorandum M-20-17 (April 1)
- Guidance on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) No Cost Extensions (NCEs) (March 26)
- Frequently Asked Questions for DOD Research Proposers and Awardees Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (March 24)
- Defense Industrial Base Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce (March 20)
- Allow Exemptions for DOD Financial Assistance Recipients Affected by the Loss of Operational Capacity and Increased Costs Due to the COVID-19 Crisis (March 19)
- Animal Care and Use Review Office (ACURO) Guidance During the COVID-19 Pandemic (March 19)
- DELAYED: Solar Decathlon Build Challenge (April 16-18, 2021)
- ARPA-E Actions Owing to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (April 3)
- PF 2020-20 COVID-19 Guidance for Financial Assistance Actions (March 30)
- Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE): Proposal Extension: DE-FOA-0002197: FY20 Advanced Vehicle Technologies Research Funding Opportunity Announcement (March 27)
- COVID-19 Attachment 2: DOE-NNSA Implementation of OMB Memorandum M-20-17 (March 19)
- Accommodating Interruptions from Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (March 13)
- Department of Energy Letter Addressing Coronavirus (COVID-19) (March 12)
- Coronavirus Hub (continually updated)
- Department of Energy Travel Guidance
All Other Federal Sponsor Guidance
- Coronavirus Acquisition-Related Information and Resources (continually updated)
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
- Flexibilities Available to AHRQ Recipients and Applicants Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Due to Loss of Operations (April 6)
- Notice of Intent: Revision Supplements to Existing AHRQ Grants and Cooperative Agreements to Address Health System Responsiveness to COVID-19 (March 26)
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Information for CDC Applicants and Recipients of CDC Funding (continually updated)
- General Funding and Grants Frequently Asked Questions (continually updated)
- Flexibilities Available to Applicants and Recipients of Federal Financial Assistance Affected by COVID-19 (no date provided)
- FAQ for Non-CARES Act Competitive Grant Programs Administered by the Office of Postsecondary Education In Response to COVID-19 (June 10)
- Ed Secretary Guidance Letter on Instititutional Funding (April 21)
- Frequently Asked Questions about the Institutional Portion of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund under Section 18004(a)(1) and 18004(c) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (April 21)
- FAQs about COVID-19 for Institute of Education Sciences Grantees (April 8)
- COVID-19 Attachment 2: DOE-NNSA Implementation of OMB Memorandum M-20-17 (March 19)
- Grants/Funding Resource Center (all COVID-19 updates from DOJ located here)
- Due Date Extensions (March 16)
- Guidance provided on Twitter
- Guidance to Award Recipients Impacted by COVID-19: Short Term Relief for Various Administrative, Financial Management, and Audit Requirements (March 21)
Economic Development Administration (EDA)
- Coronavirus Entrepreneurship & Innovation Challenge (click the link to register to view a recording of the webinar) (June 19)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- FDA Issues Updated Guidance on Clinical Trial Conduct During the COVID-19 Pandemic (March 27)
- FDA Guidance on Conduct of Clinical Trials of Medical Products during COVID-19 Pandemic (March 2020)
- FDA - Flexibilities Available to Applicants and Recipients of Federal Financial Assistance Affected by COVID-19 (March 26)
National Air and Space Administration (NASA)
- NASA Implementation of OMB Memorandum M-20-17
- For Researchers Library (and useful links) (continually updated)
- SMD FAQ on Grants and Research during the COVID-19 Epidemic (March 31)
- Preserving Readiness of the Space Industrial Base and Mission Operational Readiness due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Situation (March 24)
- Virtual Townhall 2020--COVID-19 (March 23)
- COVID-19 Impact to NASA SBIR/STTR Program (March 16)
- Coronavirus Information (continually updated)
- Assistant Administrator for Procurement Message on Coronavirus (March 10)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
- Director of NIFA to hold webinar on COVID-19 Efforts (April 16 from 2-3 est)
- NIFA-20-006 Implementation of OMB Memo M-20-17 (April 9)
- NIFA-20-005 NIFA Coronavirus FAQs (April 8)
- NIFA Deadline Extensions due to COVID-19 (March 18)
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
- NIST COVID-19 News and Updates (Continually updated)
Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW)
- COVID-19 Pandemic Contingency Planning for Animal Care and Use Programs (April 2)
- Pandemic Contingency Planning and Its Impact on Animal Care (March 19)
- Flexibilities for Assured Institutions for Activities of IACUCs due to COVID-19 (March 17)
- OLAW Guidance in Preparing for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak (March 11)
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
- Memorandum Extending COVID-19 Flexibilities Pursuant to OMB Memorandum M-20-26 (June 23)
- COVID-19 Implementing Partner Guidance Frequently Asked Questions (June 17)
- Memorandum Authorizing COVID-19 Flexibilities Pursuant to Office of Management and Budget Memorandum M-20-17 (May 8)
- COVID-19 Implementing Partner Guidance Frequently Asked Questions (May 1)
- COVID-19 Guidance for Implementing Partners (March 19)
- Information from the Office of Acquisition and Assistance in the Bureau for Management of the US Agency for International Development (March 12)
United States Patent and Trademarks Office (USPTO)
- COVID-19 Prioritized Examination Pilot Program (starts July 13)
- Patents for Partnerships
- Notice of Extended Waiver of Patent-Related Timing Deadlines under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and Other Relief Available to Patent Applicants and Patentees (April 29)
- Notice of Waiver of Patent-Related Timing Deadlines Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities Act (April 1)
Non-Federal Sponsor Guidance
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
- Society Funding with message on COVID-19 impact to funding
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
- COVID-19 Updates (Continually Updated)
- Applicant and Awardee FAQs Related to COVID-19 (April 15)
Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research (March 17)
- The Rally Foundation has extended the submission deadline for the Career Development Award until Tuesday, April 14, 2020, at 4:30 p.m. EST. Additionally, given that staff are working remotely, e-signatures will be allowed on the signature pages.
- Policies and Procedures (update to Grant Code of Conduct) (April 6)
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): information for grant applicants and grantholders (Continually Updated)
Who to Contact at Vanderbilt University for More Information
Some sponsor guidance concerns proposals, contracts and subcontracts, and non-financial award set-up. Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA), an office within the Office of the Vice Provost for Research, continues to provide all of its usual pre-award support including proposal submission to external sponsors, contract negotiation, non-financial award set-up, and end-user support for the VU Coeus and PEER electronic research administration (ERA) systems, among others. For information about proposals, contracts and subcontracts, and non-financial award set-up, contact SPA through the SPA staff directory.
Some sponsor guidance concerns award finances. As a reminder, post-award financial administration is managed through the Office of Contract and Grant Accounting (OCGA), which is not part of Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) or the Office of the Vice Provost for Research. For information about post-award financial administration, contact OCGA through the OCGA staff directory.