Dorhout shares plans for stop-gap funding for terminated research projects

Editor's note: Vice president for research Peter Dorhout distributed this message to the ISU research community on June 11.

Dear Colleagues,

Since January 20, 2025, federal agencies have navigated numerous Executive Orders (EOs) outlining shifts in federal priorities. In some instances, these changing priorities have resulted in interruptions in successful research projects, which have a very real impact not only on the research product, but the graduate students and staff who make this research possible.

The office of the vice president for research, working in tandem with the offices of the president and the senior vice president and provost, has developed a temporary program for the 2026 fiscal year, which begins July 1, to provide stop-gap funding for research projects that have been terminated, except for cause of non-performance. It is important to understand funds are limited and are intended to support impactful research across the entire Iowa State research enterprise.

Stop-gap funding will be prioritized to support students and staff, as well as associated limited supplies. Graduate students who are near completion of their degrees will be given the highest priority. Stop-gap funding will not be used to support new, previously unsupported research projects or to augment awards that were funded at lower-than-expected levels.

Please carefully review our temporary stop-gap research funding program explanation if you have been notified that project funding has been terminated. If your successful project meets the criteria for stop-gap support, please complete the stop-gap funding request application, making sure you also provide a budget justification, using this template form. If you receive a stop-work or termination communication from a sponsoring agency, please reach out to fedfunds2025@iastate.edu for assistance first.

Thank you again for your resilience, perseverance, and relentless commitment to curious exploration that continues to drive Iowa State research forward in these challenging times.

Sincerely,
Peter K. Dorhout, vice president for research