NIH Funding Caps and Freezes

January 29, 2025

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

As you may be aware, federal directives are rapidly emerging, and the status of those directives continues to evolve. Even as I prepared to distribute a comprehensive update on recent developments regarding the federal funding pause, multiple media sources began reporting the White House has rescinded that pause. More information is expected to be released soon.

Despite this change, I recognize that these directives and the fluid status of those actions may be causing confusion and concerns for many. University leadership is closely monitoring all developments and regularly seeking clarification and guidance from our legal and legislative partners.

Regarding special operations aimed at undocumented immigrants, Interim Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer Byron Craig continues to work with various stakeholders and will continue to provide communication on this issue to the campus community. A Frequently Asked Questions website launched earlier this week will be updated as additional information becomes available. We are also monitoring orders that address EDI, LGBTQ+, and other identity issues specifically and will provide updates as they become available.

Illinois State University, like other institutions and organizations around the country, is working diligently to determine the outcomes of the recent executive orders. In the meantime, I encourage you to operate as you normally would, until instructed otherwise.

As an institution where diverse perspectives and complex issues intersect, I am confident that together we will uphold our core values to collectively navigate any new developments.

Sincerely,

Aondover Tarhule, Ph.D.
President