December Federal Update
Dear Colleagues,
As the year draws to a close, I want to extend my warmest wishes to each of you for a joyful holiday season. Your dedication, creativity, and perseverance have been truly inspiring, and I am deeply grateful for your tireless commitment to advancing our research mission. Over the past year, we have navigated both challenges and celebrated successes, and I look forward to seeing what 2026 will bring FSU.
Federal Research Funding Landscape
The university administration is continuing to monitor developments in Washington, D.C. to keep you informed and supported. Understanding these shifts is crucial for positioning our proposals for success and ensuring we remain competitive in the national research landscape.
Last month, I hosted three town halls to share some insights into the federal budget, shifts in funding priorities, and some practical proposal tips. The slides from those presentations are available on the federal updates webpage. I encourage you to review these materials at your convenience, as they offer relevant guidance for navigating the current funding climate.
And please, reach out to me or my office if you have any questions about how to best position yourself moving forward. We are here to support you.
Agency Updates: NSF and NIH
We have received confirmation that the National Science Foundation (NSF) resumed its review panels on December 8. In addition, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has begun issuing requests for participation in upcoming study sections. These developments represent positive steps toward restoring regular funding cycles and opportunities for our researchers post shut down.
Also of interest, NIH recently announced changes on how award decisions will be made beginning with the January 2026 Council round. Fixed paylines will no longer serve as the primary cutoff for funding decisions. Peer-review scores remain essential, but Institutes and Centers will take a broader programmatic view when selecting projects. This change highlights the need to ensure full alignment with the agency’s mission and current priorities.
Research Security Training Reminder
As a reminder, all researchers—including students—are required to complete research security training through the CITI Program to comply with federal agency requirements. Several agencies require this training before proposal submission.
This training is essential for ensuring our continued eligibility for federal awards and upholding the highest standards of research integrity. If you have questions or need assistance with the CITI Program, please reach out to Mary Sechrist at m.sechrist@fsu.edu.
Thank you for your outstanding contributions and your steadfast commitment to research excellence. I wish you and your loved ones a safe, restful, and joyous holiday season. I am confident that, together, we will continue to achieve remarkable things in the coming year.
Kind Regards,
Stacey S. Patterson, Ph.D.
Vice President for Research