As the impact of COVID-19 continues to change the national landscape, federal agencies continue to issue and update specific guidance. We will update our website with this guidance as it becomes available. We recommend researchers check back to our webpage frequently for updated information.
Select an agency below for the latest information.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has issued a new memorandum (M-20-26) to the Heads of Executive Departments and Federal Agencies providing for an extension to the initial short-term administrative, financial and audit requirements. The flexibilities have been extended to allow a responsible transition to normal operations. The extensions relate to the following:
• Allowability of salaries and other project activities (item 6 in M-20-17) through September 30, 2020
• Extension of Single Audit submission (item 13 in M-20-17) through December 31, 2020
If you have any questions regarding the impact of these extensions to Lehigh research, please contact your Contract and Grant Specialist.
Managing Federal Contract Performance Issues Associated with the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has issued a memorandum to the Heads of Executive Departments and Federal Agencies identifying agency actions to relieve short term administrative, financial management and audit requirements at this time.
Per the OMB: OMB is allowing Federal agencies to grant class exceptions in instances where the agency has determined that the purpose of the Federal awards is to support the continued research and services necessary to carry out the emergency response related to COVID-19. Further, agencies are reminded of their existing flexibility to issue exceptions on a case-by-case basis in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200.102, “Exceptions”. The Administration will evaluate if these flexibilities should be extended to recipients whose operations have been adversely impacted in the emergency response related to COVID-19 at a later date.
Principal Investigators should note, specifically, items 4 through 9 in the memo. Please work with your Contract and Grant Specialist if you would like to explore any of these exceptions with your Sponsoring Agency.
Guidance for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) No Cost Extensions (NCEs)
Department of the Air Force (Sent to Contractors, Subject to Change)
Office of Justice Programs, DOJ (Guidance sent to Grantees, Subject to Change)
Please be aware that the NIH has declared that the COVID-19 public health emergency does fall under the “other emergencies” category of the NIH Extramural Response to National Disasters and Other Emergencies, therefore allowing for:
• A delay in grant application submissions equal to the time of institution closure or evacuation order
• Assisting with animal welfare issues
• Waiving certain prior approval requirements
• Providing extensions of time for financial and other reporting
• Other assistance as appropriate
It is important to note that these steps are not automatic, but will be announced, as appropriate, on the NIH web page and in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts. In the meantime, please work with your Contract and Grant Specialist to address each instance individually.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Information for NIH Applicants and Recipients
NIH Extramural Response to Natural Disasters and Other Emergencies
COVID-19 Pandemic Contingency Planning for Animal Care and Use Programs
FAQs on COVID-19 Flexibilities for Applicants and Recipients
OHRP Guidance on Response to COVID-19
COVID-19 Pandemic Response Resources and FAQs for Animal Care and Use Programs
Applicant/Recipient COVID-19 Update History
FAQs on COVID-19 Flexibilities for Applicants and Recipients
NIH Message to Applicants and Recipients of NIH Funds on Flexibilities Needed for COVID-19
Guidance for NIH-funded Clinical Trials and Human Subjects Studies Affected by COVID-19
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Information for NIH Applicants and Recipients of NIH Funding
Special OLAW Webinar March 19: Pandemic Contingency Planning and Its Impact on Animal Care
FAQs on COVID-19 Flexibilities for Applicants and Recipients
NIH Guidance on Travel and Meetings
NIH Extramural Response to Natural Disasters and Other Emergencies
NSF Implementation of OMB Memorandum M-20-26
Impact on Existing Deadline Dates
NSF Guidance on the Effects of COVID-19 on Human Subjects Research
NSF Implementation of OMB Memorandum M-20-20
NSF Guidance on the Effects of COVID-19 on Vertebrate Animal Research
NSF Letter to Community Regarding COVID-19
NSF Implementation of OMB Memorandum M-20-17
Impact on Existing Deadline Dates
The NSF has developed a website for the research community which includes guidance for awardee institutions, researchers and reviewers of NSF proposals. This website will be updated as new developments arise and information is available.
(Archived) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for National Science Foundation (NSF) Proposers and Awardees (See the specific section: Impacts of COVID-19 on Submission of Other NSF Proposals and Existing NSF Awards)
NSF Guidance for Major Facilities and Contracts Regarding COVID-19
National Security Agency (Guidance sent to Contractors, Subject to Change)
Important Note from COGR: The information provided herein has not been endorsed by federal awarding agencies and represents COGR’s best assessment of an evolving situation based on already established policies and regulations. As further guidance becomes available from federal agencies COGR will update this document and keep the membership informed accordingly. Nothing in this document is intended to supplant any institutional policy or federal, state, and local law, regulations, or guidance, and institutions are strongly encouraged to communicate with their agency program officers and grant officers as issues arise.
COGR's FAQs and Resources on COVID-19's Impact to Federal Awards