NAVREF is actively monitoring key federal policy developments that impact the VA research community. Below is an overview of the most pressing issues and our ongoing advocacy efforts:

Funding Freeze

On January 27, 2025, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a directive pausing federal grants, loans, and financial assistance. This raised legal concerns, leading to lawsuits that resulted in temporary restraining orders from federal judges in D.C. and Rhode Island. While OMB has since rescinded the memo, the administration is exploring alternative ways to restrict funding.

Federal Hiring Freeze

The current hiring freeze continues to affect research-related positions within VA. While ORD has clarified that certain exemptions apply to pending research hires, strict limitations remain:

• New WOCs & IPAs can only be submitted for positions on the exemption list.

• Affiliate badge requests are temporarily on hold.

• No-cost IPAs cannot be used to bypass the hiring freeze.

Positions with firm job offers before January 20 and start dates before February 8 are not impacted. Historically, hiring freezes last around 90 days, but there is no clear timeline for this one. NAVREF is closely tracking VA’s efforts to secure additional hiring exemptions for research staff.

Executive Orders Impacting VA Research

The administration has issued multiple executive orders affecting federal operations, including VA research. Key orders include:

• Hiring Freeze Executive Order – Suspends new federal hires, with limited exemptions, affecting VA research staffing.

• Funding Review Executive Order – Requires federal agencies to assess and align funding with new administration priorities, contributing to uncertainty around grant disbursements.

• Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) (Jan 23, 2025) -- Establishes an advisory council that could shape federal research priorities

• Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs (Jan 20, 2025) --Ends DEI-focused initiatives across federal agencies, including VA
• Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism (Jan 20, 2025) -- Defines U.S. policy on sex-based distinctions in federal programs.
• Regulatory Freeze Pending Review (Jan 20, 2025) -- Suspends new regulations and administrative processes.
• Enforcing the Hyde Amendment (Jan 24, 2025) -- Restricts federal funding for abortion-related research and services.

DEIA Program Rollback

VA has moved forward with implementing the executive order to eliminate DEI initiatives across the department. As a result:

• 60+ DEI-focused employees have been placed on administrative leave.

• DEI-related contracts, totaling over $6.1 million, are being canceled.

• VA is removing DEI-related content from its digital platforms.

Letter to the Transition Team

On January 20, NAVREF submitted a letter to the presidential transition team, advocating for sustained investment in VA research. Our recommendations include:

• Increased funding for veteran-focused clinical trials.

• Expanded resources for advanced research and innovation.

• Strengthened partnerships between VA and the private sector.

Congressional Engagement

NAVREF is actively engaging with key HVAC and SVAC policymakers to reinforce the importance of VA research funding and policy stability. 

NAVREF will continue to provide updates as these issues evolve. If you have concerns or need guidance on how these policies may affect your research program, please reach out to estout@navref.org.