In times of rapid change, it can be easy to feel stressed by the day-to-day turbulence. APA and APA Services Inc. remain firmly grounded in our values and our mission to use psychological science and expertise to benefit society and improve lives. Our commitment to scientific integrity, non-partisanship, and meaningful engagement does not waver, even though the political landscape may shift. APA and APA Services Inc. are actively disseminating information with our community as developments unfold in the new presidential administration, but because things are evolving quickly, information provided in this email or other communications may change quickly.
Quick Action Update: Last night, the Trump administration issued memo M-25-13 for all federal agencies to temporarily freeze payments on all federal assistance and grants, including those issued to research entities, hospitals, universities, and community projects, while the administration conducts a review of these programs, ensuring that they align with President Trump’s recent executive orders halting programs on immigration, foreign aid, DEI , gender identity, and the environment. The pause is slated to begin today, January 28, at 5pm EST, and the internal programmatic review runs through February 10
As of this morning, the US Office of Management and Budget (OMB) had already worked with the Department of Education (DOE) on exempting Pell Grants and Direct Loans: “Per the OMB memo issued yesterday, the temporary pause does not impact assistance received by individuals.” Title IV (Higher Education Act) funds are provided to individual students and are not impacted by the freeze. APA staff is in contact with DOE officials to ascertain the impact of the freeze on Graduate Psychology Education (GPE) funding that goes to individuals yet is dispersed first through institutions.
APA/APASI Assessment: While there is likely to be litigation to determine whether the directive violates the Budget and Impoundment Control Act, any injunction will probably occur later than the start of the funding pause.
WHAT YOU CAN DO IF YOU ARE OR THINK YOU ARE AFFECTED
We will continue to closely monitor the situation; the APA advocacy office is reaching out to key contacts to ascertain the scope and meaning of the memorandum for psychologists. In the meantime, there are some things you can do.
Call your Agency or Academic Contact: We urge you to contact your grant officer/agency/funding contact ASAP today, January 28, to determine the status of your grant, contract, or funding and to ask under what circumstances your federal funding may be released. Note that government agency staff may be receiving conflicting advice so may not be able to provide you guidance or respond during the communications pause.
Questions you may want to ask include:
- “If I was expecting a drawdown on <date>, may I still expect that payment?”
- “The memo notes that exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis and that legally required agency actions may continue; does my award or any activity under my award qualify for this exception?”
- “Will you or another staff person be available to answer additional questions during the pause?”
- “Should I submit today/now outstanding expenses accrued before January 27 before the memo was issued? If so, is there an expedited way to submit that material?”
- “If I have a reporting or submission deadline during the pause, does the January 27 memo impact that deadline?”
Contact your Organizational Leadership: For those individuals affiliated with academic institutions, you may want to contact your federal grants/contracts office, dean, and/or office of general counsel to seek guidance on how the college or university recommends you proceed.
Document your expenses: Remember to document your grant/contract/subcontract expenses, including work time, during the pause. Depending on the language of your federal government arrangement (or with the primary contractor), you may be entitled to seek payment for those expenses. As noted, the pause is slated to begin today, January 28, at 5pm, and the internal programmatic review runs through February 10.