Federal Pulse

Where policy meets perspective. Thoughtful analysis translates 
complex federal developments into understanding that strengthens
research management practice.

Your Insight Hub for the Federal Research Landscape

The Federal Pulse is a regular update created to help the SRAI research management and administration (RMA) community stay informed about the rapidly evolving federal landscape. In today’s environment, information moves quickly and often without clear context, making it difficult for research administrators to interpret developments, anticipate changes, and plan effectively. 

Each issue features three core components: a concise briefing on what’s in the news, a deep-dive discussion on a relevant federal topic, and an Ask Me Anything (AMA) section that invites the community to pose questions and share perspectives on emerging challenges in the profession.

  • What We are Watching in September

    09-09-2026 08:49 AM
    Blog Entry

    With the government funded on a continuing resolution through December 11th, Members of Congress are largely turning their attention to the November elections while also planning for the lame-duck legislative ...

  • 2026 has brought an unusually dense wave of proposed and emerging changes to the rules governing federal research and grant administration. Government-wide proposals are unfolding alongside agency-specific ...

  • What Is an Interagency Agreement?

    09-09-2026 08:48 AM
    Blog Entry

    An interagency agreement is an arrangement through which one federal agency works with another agency to obtain services, carry out shared activities, or support a common government objective. Interagency ...

  • What We are Watching in August

    08-07-2026 11:45 AM
    Blog Entry

    On Saturday, August 8th, the Senate passed a continuing resolution which includes the language blocking implementation of changes to UG through December 11th, the expiration of the continuing resolution. ...

  • On July 21, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Director Michael Kratsios released Science: A New Golden Age , a report that calls for a broad redesign of the U.S. research enterprise. ...

  • Blog Entry

    The Federal Acquisition Regulation, commonly called the FAR, is the government-wide rulebook for federal procurement contracts. It is distinct from Uniform Guidance, which principally governs grants, cooperative ...

  • What We are Watching in July

    07-08-2026 01:23 PM
    Blog Entry

    FY2027 appropriations remain unsettled FY2027 appropriations continues to percolate as Congress moves toward the end of the fiscal year. Thanks to a surge of activity in June, the House Appropriations ...

  • In today’s complex and challenging federal policy environment, examples of policymaking proceeding in concert between the legislative and executive branch and through the “regular order” legislative process ...

  • Recent reporting that the National Science Foundation (NSF) is planning to reprogram up to $1.5 billion by reducing funding for some of its existing research programs to redirect those funds to support ...

  • The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has proposed significant changes to Uniform Guidance and related federal financial assistance regulations, with the target implementation date of October 1, 2026. ...

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