News
Update on NIH Outgoing Subaward Stop Work Order
June 17, 2025
Beginning June 18, 2025, Sponsored Research will begin issuing stop work orders for all outgoing subcontracts on active National Institute of Health (NIH) awards that do not have an approved exception. The stop work orders will be effective as of June 20, 2025. This action follows the announcement made on June 5, 2025 to pause work on NIH subcontracts for the period of June 20 to August 31, 2025, due to the ongoing federal funding freeze affecting Northwestern.
Please note that the following information pertains only to subcontracts on NIH grants:
Subcontracts Receiving a Stop Work Order
Sponsored Research will send one consolidated communication per organization, listing all projects subject to a stop work order. Subrecipients are being instructed to cease incurring expenses beyond June 20, 2025, reconcile expenses through this date, and submit invoices within 60 days of the stop work effective date. All stop work orders will be issued no later than Monday, June 23, 2025. Note: Research administrators and PIs at subrecipient organizations and at Northwestern will not be copied on these communications.
Subrecipients can continue to incur expenses beyond the stop work order effective date at their own risk and in accordance with their organizations’ internal policies and procedures.
Subcontracts Granted an Exception
For outgoing subcontracts that have been granted an exception and will not be subject to a stop work order, no immediate action is required by departments or faculty. A process is being developed to issue Sponsored Research Agreements to these subrecipients. Further guidance, including any required actions needed by departments, faculty, and subrecipients, will be shared in the coming weeks.
Subcontracts with Project Periods in the Past
Sponsored Research will continue to issue outgoing subawards for periods of performance that end no later than June 20, 2025.
Subcontracts Not Yet Issued
Subcontracts that have periods of performance beginning on/after June 1, 2025, but have not yet been issued are currently being deferred. Sponsored Research will contact organizations that are already in SR’s queue or with whom previous communication was established.
Subcontracts with periods of performance that begin on/before May 31, 2025, will be fully executed and at time of issuance will also receive a retroactive stop work order effective June 20, 2025.
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