Vice Provost and Dean of Research Newsletter

Dear Chairs and Directors, 

I hope your Autumn Quarter is off to a strong start.

The academic year began for me with a visit to New Faculty Orientation, where I met many of our incoming faculty colleagues. This is always a highlight on the calendar and this year was no exception; the excitement in the room was palpable—and infectious!

This year I will continue to use this newsletter to keep you and your units informed about research matters across campus. Each newsletter will highlight a small selection of noteworthy developments, opportunities, and events. The items will be presented as short summaries, often with hyperlinks to additional details, written in a way that should make them easy for you to circulate to groups in your orbit for whom they may be particularly relevant.

This month, I have six items:

  1. Stanford Response to Proposed Changes to Federal Funding
  2. New Life Sciences Research Oversight Requirements
  3. New Faculty Funding Opportunity; Deadline: November 17, 2026
  4. Upcoming VPDoR Research Town Hall for Faculty and Staff
  5. Notable Changes in Research Support Offices
  6. VPDoR Related Features from over the summer

1. Stanford Response to Changes to Federal Grants Administration by the Office of Management and Budget

Last spring, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) proposed sweeping reforms to the way federal funding is awarded and managed. Stanford submitted a written response, focusing on concerns about changes to the peer-review process, award terminations, and international collaborations. The American Association of Universities provided a more comprehensive response. For the time being, Congress has blocked OMB from “implementing, finalizing, or enforcing” the changes.

2. New Compliance Requirements for Life Sciences Research

A recent executive order from the Trump Administration has triggered significant new compliance requirements for life sciences research.  The new rules target studies that meet federal definitions of “gain-of-function” research, as well as international collaborations and uses of biohazardous materials. The changes are substantial. Universities must come into compliance by mid-January 2027.

In addition, a separate Draft NIH Biosafety Policy for Research Involving Biohazards would significantly expand the scope of research overseen by Institutional Biosafety Committees.

VPDoR has convened a working group to assess the implications for Stanford, develop an appropriate institutional response, and communicate changes to our research community. Additional information will be shared as this work progresses.

3. Funding Opportunity For Faculty Who Are New to Stanford

The Community of Shared Research Platforms (C-ShaRP) is accepting proposals from new faculty members. Apply by November 17, 2026 to receive up to $10,000 in funding to cover equipment and service costs across Stanford’s shared research facilities. Learn more at the C-ShaRP website

4. Upcoming VPDoR Research Town Hall for Faculty and Research Administration Teams, November 12, 2026

The Research Town Hall series that began in early 2025 has attracted consistently large attendance from faculty and students. Back by popular demand, the Town Halls will continue this academic year, roughly quarterly.

The next one is scheduled for Thursday, November 12, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The panel will share updates on federal government activity and sponsored research at Stanford. We will also respond to questions posed live and submitted in advance.

Town Hall (Webinar)

Thursday, November 12, 2026

3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. PT – JOIN HERE

Webinar ID: 930 1401 7696

Passcode: 130174

Questions may be submitted in advance here

5. Notable Changes in Mission Support

  • The Research Compliance Office has been renamed the Human & Animal Research Compliance Office
  • Kathy McClelland has retired after 47 years of extraordinary service to Stanford. One of Kathy’s responsibilities was to serve as the university’s designated Research Integrity Officer. Linda Coleman, Associate Vice Provost in VPDoR, will take over this important role.
  • The School of Medicine Research Management Group (RMG) has been renamed the Office of Research Operations (ORO)

6. Summer Features You May Have Missed

Stay safe and be well,

David Studdert
Vice Provost and Dean of Research