UNM faculty information and opportunities guide
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For information on UNM resources for faculty, visit our Faculty Resources Guide.
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To support your students, visit our Faculty Guide to Student Resources.
- If you are a new faculty member, visit our new faculty page.
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To stay informed about research opportunities, be sure you’re subscribed to the PI listserve.
- To see our current faculty development workshops, be sure to check out our events calendar.
Spring 2026 semester information
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Spring 2026 courses are now available for development in UNM Canvas. Online and hybrid courses are automatically added to the system and web-enhancement is available for face-to-face courses.General InformationCourses are added to UNM Canvas in an “unpublished” state. Students will have access to courses in Canvas when the following conditions have both been met: the instructor publishes the course and instruction is scheduled to begin. We recommend instructors publish before the start date to be ready for students on the first day of class.For information on using UNM Canvas, see Canvas Resources for Instructors. See How to get training for links to video tutorials, an Instructor Guide, Open Labs, webinars, and more.Section GroupsIf you plan to group multiple course sections in Canvas, it is important to submit your request at least a week before the class start date to allow time for processing. Sections should be grouped prior to the start date for the course to avoid loss of student work. Once sections are grouped, you will lose access to any content developed in the original course sections, so it is important to either have that content in a Temp course or to export and download any content you want to keep from the sections in the request prior to submitting the form.Publisher Integration Update: McGraw-HillThe new “McGraw Hill Integration” is now available in Canvas, replacing the previous “McGraw-Hill Connect” tool. The old Connect integration will be retired by the vendor, so instructors preparing Spring 2026 courses that use McGraw Hill materials must transition to the new integration. This updated tool provides a single access point for multiple McGraw Hill products — including Connect, Go, SIMnet, and eBooks — directly within Canvas. ALEKS will still remain its own integration and is unaffected by this change.Instructors currently using the old Connect integration will need to relink or migrate their content using the new “McGraw Hill Integration” migration tool in their Spring 2026 courses to ensure continued access and grade synchronization. The old integration will continue to work in Fall 2025 courses until the term ends.Canvas Support ResourcesPlease visit the UNM Canvas Help Site for more information and resources and contact UNM Canvas Support with any questions.
Fall 2025 semester information
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Dear Colleagues,Following up on our September 21 message about the presidential proclamation requiring a $100,000 payment for certain H-1B visa sponsorships, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued updated guidance explaining when this payment applies.Key Points from USCIS Guidance:
- The $100,000 payment does NOT apply when an employer files an H-1B petition for:
- A change of status within the U.S.
- A change of employer within the U.S.
This means employers seeking to sponsor current or prospective employees who are already in the U.S. who are changing employers or to H-1B status can file without submitting this payment.- However, if an employee or candidate travels internationally before their H-1B change of status or change of employer is approved, they could become subject to the payment. Anyone in this situation should consult their department and immigration counsel before making travel plans.
- The $100,000 payment does apply for new H-1B petitions for individuals outside the U.S. who are not currently in another nonimmigrant visa status.
- USCIS has said employers can request a ‘national interest’ exception to avoid the payment, but these will be granted only in ‘extraordinarily rare circumstances.’ The process is unclear, likely requires outside immigration counsel, and may involve significant legal costs.
What This Means for Hiring:- Current Searches: If you are considering candidates who need H-1B sponsorship and are outside the U.S. or not in another valid nonimmigrant status, the $100,000 payment may apply. Federal law requires the employer to cover all H-1B costs; these cannot be passed on to the employee. At the University, the department or hiring unit will be responsible for covering these costs. Whether to incur this cost is a legitimate, nondiscriminatory factor in hiring decisions.
- Future Searches: Until more information is available, you may want to limit eligibility to candidates already authorized to work in the U.S. or currently in the U.S. with valid status (e.g., permanent residents, individuals on F-1 visas, or those with H-1B status through another employer).
- If Sponsorship is Needed: If a candidate requires H-1B sponsorship and the $100,000 payment would apply, consider whether there is a strong business need for that hire. While a waiver may be possible in rare cases, there is no clear guidance on what evidence is required. Departments must consult with the Office of University Counsel and obtain approvals from the dean, Executive Vice President, and the President before proceeding. Again, the department or hiring unit will be responsible for all associated payments.
Departments and hiring officials with immigration-related questions can contact Kevin Gick in the Office of University Counsel at KGick@salud.unm.edu.
Sincerely,
Barbara RodriguezInterim Provost & EVP for Academic AffairsMichael RichardsExecutive Vice President, UNM HSC & CEO, UNM Health System - The $100,000 payment does NOT apply when an employer files an H-1B petition for:
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UNM Vice Provost for Student Success Pamela Cheek has released a video and a PDF with important updates for all faculty for the fall semester. The updates include required syllabus language, updates to the UNM Classroom Conduct policy, information on using AI in the classroom, new resources for students and more. Download the PDF about what you need to know or visit the Provost’s Office website.
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UNM IT is excited to announce that all students, faculty, and staff at University of New Mexico now have no-cost access to Gartner’s Campus Core Research. Dive into a wealth of knowledge tailored to empower your success. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to leverage Gartner’s expertise. Users can explore technology trends, career guidance, and business strategies anytime through UNM’s Gartner Website. Gartner’s resources are yours to explore and use.
We encourage our students, faculty and staff to utilize this service and provide feedback (below) to help us determine how well this product adds value to UNM IT’s service offerings and to determine whether we renew this product at the conclusion of the trial period of June 30th, 2026.
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The UNM Bike Valet is a free, staffed parking service* for UNM students, faculty, and staff. You can park your bicycle, scooter, e-bike or multimodal vehicle (MMV) during valet operating hours and enjoy:
- A monitored parking area staffed by trained attendants
- A quick & easy check-in/check-out process
- A convenient way to reduce car dependency and support a greener campus.
This pilot also helps UNM test whether a staffed bike valet model could support long-term, flexible transportation options like bikes, scooters, e-bikes & other non-car travel modes on campus.
*Funded by student fees through Student Fee Review Board (SFRB).
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Please help us welcome a variety of new faculty to campus. Click the bios of new faculty to learn more about their research and background.
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Welcome to the CANVAS_INSTRUCTOR-L list for the Fall 2025 semester! Information about Canvas is available at canvasinfo.unm.edu. We will use this listserv as an avenue for important communications regarding UNM Canvas.General InformationYou and your students can access Canvas at canvas.unm.edu. For more, see How to Log into Canvas. For Canvas documentation, tips, and things to be aware of see UNM Canvas Resources for Instructors.Make Sure Students Can Access Your Courses in CanvasPlease review the Start-of-Semester Checklist. It includes instructions for all the important tasks required each term, such as how to “Web-enhance your Banner Course in Canvas” and “How to Publish” your course so that when it opens, your students will have access to it.Fall course sections that are Published in UNM Canvas will open for students on the start date as shown in the LoboWeb class schedule (see also FastInfo answer 2371). For most fall classes, the official start date falls on Monday, August 18th.Publisher Integration Updates – Changes for the Fall 2025 termRedShelf instructors: Just a reminder that a new RedShelf tool, “My Shelf,” has been added to Canvas for use in Fall 2025 courses and beyond. We strongly recommend that RedShelf instructors add the new My Shelf link to course menus. Instructors who used RedShelf in previous semesters should also remove any links to “RedShelf Course Materials,” the prior tool, from Fall courses. The My Shelf tool allows the UNM Main Campus Bookstore to offer the new Course Materials Access program.Students and instructors are also able to access My Shelf via the Canvas Global Navigation menu > Account > My Shelf. Students will have access to materials via My Shelf beginning two weeks prior to the full term start date (August 4th for the Fall term) for making opting decisions.Pearson instructors: An updated Access Pearson tool encompasses all Pearson products — including MyLab, Mastering, Revel, eText, and Live Response — in a single integration. For courses using Pearson products at Main, Taos, and Valencia campuses: Instructors and students can access these products through My Shelf using the “Access Courseware” button. Students will have access to materials via My Shelf beginning two weeks prior to the full term start date (August 4th). When setting up courses within Pearson, instructors can set the courseware ‘Start date’ to align with the class schedule (e.g., 8/18/25 for full-term courses). Los Alamos and Gallup courses: Access Pearson can now also be used within Canvas courses without RedShelf/My Shelf.Section GroupsDo you have multiple sections you would like to combine into one UNM Canvas course? See information on Section Groups. If you plan to group your sections in Canvas, it is important to submit your request at least a week before the class start date to allow time for processing. Once sections are grouped, you will lose access to any content developed in the original course sections, so it is important to either have that content in a Temp course or to export and download any content you want to keep from the sections in the request prior to submitting the form. Sections should be grouped prior to the start date for the course to avoid loss of student work.Additional Resources
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Support: You and your students can always find help using the “Help” button in the left Canvas global navigation menu. Additional information is available on How to Get Support.
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Student Resources: Students can be directed to Student Help Resources and Introduction to Canvas.
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Instructor training: For one-on-one assistance with questions related to teaching in Canvas, drop in to a virtual Open Lab hosted by the UNM Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). Review and register for webinars offered by CTL. Or see How to Get Training for links to video tutorials provided by the vendor.
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Managing Course Assistants: Those with the Teacher role in Canvas can use the +People tool to add or remove Designers and TAs in their current and future Banner and Temp courses.
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Integrations: Numerous third-party tools, such as Ally, Turnitin Similarity, Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor, Zoom, Kaltura Media tools, and RedShelf are available for use in Canvas. For a full list and links to documentation, see the External Apps page.
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What’s New: Up-to-date information about what’s new is always posted on the What’s New in UNM Canvas page along with links to documentation for ongoing Canvas changes made by the vendor.
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Notable Issues: For details about ongoing issues affecting Canvas or integrated tools, consult Notable Issues for Instructors and Notable Issues for Students.
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Outages and Alerts: For information about service interruptions that may be impacting Canvas or integrated tools, see System Status & Alerts.
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Terms of Use: Please be aware of the UNM Canvas Terms of Use.
We hope these resources are helpful as you prepare your fall courses.Sincerely,UNM Canvas SupportIT Academic TechnologiesSelf-help documentation: https://canvasinfo.unm.edu/Contact support: https://canvasinfo.unm.edu/support/index.html Phone support: 505-277-0857 or 1-877-688-8817 -
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Hello UNM Faculty & Staff,Welcome back for the Fall 2025 semester! I’m writing with a friendly reminder that the UNM University Libraries are here to support your research and teaching. A few of the most important things to know as we start the new academic year are:Ask a Question: The best way to get in touch is through our Ask a Librarian portal, which offers the option to ask a question via chat, email, text, or by scheduling a consultation to get one-on-one support.Library Instruction: Request and learn about our suite of library instruction services, including our new online tutorials.Request a Purchase: Use this form to request a purchase: books, journals, databases, etc.Resources A-Z List: Browse our library subscription databases and more. The searchable list includes databases covering research literature, news, data, mapping, video, audio, images, and more.Research Guides: Faculty librarians create subject, topic, and tool guides to help students and faculty find tailored content that provides a useful starting point for research projects or assignments.Course Reserves: Review options for putting print and electronic texts on reserve for your courses. This is a great way to enhance accessibility of course materials for your students.And of course, you can visit the UNM Libraries website to explore our full suite of services, programming, and collections. Please consider sharing resources with your students as well!Best wishes for a great semester,Amy Jankowski, on behalf of the UNM Libraries’ Learning, Research, & Engagement team
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Researchers,
A key element of new federal research regulations focuses on research security policies seeking to support and safeguard U.S. science and engineering. Although these regulations arise primarily from the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 and National Security Presidential Memo 33 (NSPM-33), some agencies have enacted different responses to the new policies. Two agencies, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), have released new guidelines.
National Science Foundation: The NSF, on June 30, announced its commitment to supporting the research community in safeguarding U.S. science and engineering through clear, actionable research security policies. In alignment with the above noted bills, NSF has established a series of requirements as outlined below, effective Oct. 10:
- Foreign collaborations/funding: NSF proposers and recipients are required to maintain supporting documentation, including copies of contracts, grants, or any other agreements specific to foreign appointments, employment with a foreign institution, participation in a foreign talent recruitment program as well as other information reported as current and pending support for all senior/key personnel. All documentation must also be available to NSF upon request. Proposers and recipients are expected to review requested supporting documentation for compliance with NSF award terms and conditions.
- Education & training: NSF requires research security training certifications from proposers and individuals identified as senior/key personnel. Each individual identified as a senior or key personnel must certify that they have completed research security training within 12 months prior to proposal submission.
- Researchers can access UNM’s research security training in Learning Central (ORIC_Research_Security). The training takes nearly one hour and fulfills all NSF requirements.
- All key personnel must upload a completion certificate as part of the proposal submission.
- Certifications: From the institutional perspective, UNM’s Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) must certify the following:
- All individuals noted above have completed the requisite training at the time of proposal submission.
- UNM has a plan to provide appropriate training and oversight in the Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research (RCR) to undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, faculty, and other senior/key personnel who will be supported by NSF.
U.S. Department of Agriculture: Effective July 8, the USDA issued the “America First Memorandum for USDA Arrangements and Research Security”. This directive requires that each individual identified as a senior or key personnel must certify that they have completed research security training within 12 months prior to proposal submission.
- Researchers can access UNM’s Research Security training in Learning Central (ORIC_Research_Security). The training takes nearly one hour and fulfills all USDA requirements.
Lobos, we appreciate your participation and proactive response to these new requirements. We plan to send out additional reminders over the next couple of months to ensure all UNM faculty will be able to submit NSF and USDA proposals in a timely manner.
Linda Mayo
Executive Director
Office of Research Integrity & Compliance
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UNM launched a new help system this summer, called ServiceNow. According to UNM IT:
“Starting June 16, help.unm.edu will automatically redirect you to the new portal. Log in with your UNM NetID email and password and start exploring. It’s that easy.
More information on URL changes with the new system will be coming soon. We will have a redirect in place beginning June 16th and will keep it in place for a transition period. Over time, any links on websites and documentation that point to help.unm and UNM IT articles currently hosted in FastInfo will need to be updated to point to the new ServiceNow system.
Please note, this update is for main campus UNM IT Customer Support Services only.
For assistance with UNM IT services, please contact UNM IT Customer Support Services at 505-277-5757. The hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For UNM IT-related emergencies after hours or during Holidays, call UNM IT Customer Support Services at 505-277-5757 and follow the instructions to reach our after-hours coordinator.
Due to the healthcare nature of UNM Health Sciences (HSC), there may be variations to services and support for HSC students, faculty, and staff. If you experience any issues regarding HSC technology services, please follow these steps: During regular business hours, 8-5, Monday-Friday, contact the Health Sciences IT Service Desk at 505-272-1694. Outside of regular business hours contact the Health IT Service Desk at 505-272-3282 (2-DATA). ”
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Dear UNM Faculty,
Welcome to a new year and a new semester! In case you haven’t had a chance to see the news announcement, I wanted to introduce myself to you. My name is Christopher Lyons, and earlier this month, I became the assistant vice provost for faculty affairs — the first to hold this new position.
I have been a member of the UNM faculty since 2006, and I am eager to bring that experience, as well as my experience in leadership positions at UNM, into practice to enhance the life of faculty. My office is located in the Office of Academic Affairs in Scholes Hall, where I work closely with Barbara Rodriguez, senior vice provost for academic affairs.
Since this is a newly created role, I felt it was important to highlight a few topics I am planning to focus on to provide support and guidance to UNM faculty. My aim is to assist those just beginning their academic careers, as well as those who are taking on leadership roles, such as department chairs or associate deans.
My primary focus will be on identifying and creating development opportunities for our faculty. This will encompass workshops, panels, and a variety of other events and professional development opportunities. While some of these will be familiar, we will also introduce new events and resources to further support our faculty.
ADVANCE at UNM does an amazing job of creating relevant programming to support faculty, and we are proud to continue our successful collaboration with them. Together, we offer resources that benefit faculty both professionally and in managing work-life balance issues. The popular Lightning Lounge series — which provides succinct presentations of faculty research in an hourlong format — exemplifies this collaboration. Stay tuned for more information on the Feb. 19 event, which will be virtual, highlighting the work of our branch campus colleagues.
The tenure and promotion process can be stressful and overwhelming, so I am planning to prioritize offering support and resources to make this as smooth as possible. And for faculty further along in their careers, we will continue and build upon the Chairs and Directors Colloquium, as well as expanding development opportunities for associate and assistant deans. Chairs, directors, and associate deans: be on the lookout for communications from me about upcoming events.
Earlier this month, the Office of Academic Affairs launched a newly designed website that features a wide range of useful information for faculty. As with all new websites, it is undergoing continuous improvements, but I did want to direct you to a few especially helpful resources. Under the Support in the Classroom page, you will find the results of a collaboration between the Center for Teaching and Learning, the Dean of Students, and Academic Affairs that provides recommendations to faculty on student conduct and discipline. I encourage faculty to review this section of the website for sample syllabus language, information on co-constructing classroom community agreements, and suggestions for progressive approaches to addressing disruptive conduct in the classroom, Also, the Faculty Career Development section provides a quick overview of the main ways we support faculty. I invite you to check these resources out, as well as others on the site.
Stay tuned for much more, and as always, if you have any questions, concerns, feedback, or ideas about resources or programming you would like to see, please feel free to reach out to me at clyons@unm.edu.
Thank you for all you do, and have a great semester.
Christopher Lyons
Assistant Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Professor of Sociology & Criminology
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Are you a new faculty member? We’ve got you. See our information page just for you, and check out the new faculty onboarding checklist from the Office of Academic Personnel.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR FACULTY
Find a variety of faculty development opportunities on our events calendar.
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You’re invited to enjoy lunch while learning about two exciting opportunities for global engagement at UNM—Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) and Faculty-Led International Programs (FLIP).This event is Nov. 17, at 12:00 PM in the UNM Honors College Forum. It is one of many taking place during International Education Week (Nov. 17-21, 2025) hosted by the Global Education Office.Come discover how these programs can help you connect your classrooms across borders, develop meaningful international collaborations, and lead transformative global experiences for students.Email Sara Gutierrez, sagutierrez@unm.edu with questions.We hope you’ll join us for this interactive session to learn, share ideas, and explore how COIL and FLIP can enhance your teaching and research.
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The Center for Teaching and Learning has created a shared application for Albuquerque central campus instructors who wish to have embedded academic support for their Spring 2026 courses.Embedded academic support includes online learning assistants, supplemental instruction leaders, and peer learning facilitators. The shared application was created in a collaboration between CTL and the College Enrichment Program.The spring 2026 proposal priority deadline is Oct. 31, and course selections will be announced by Nov. 14, 2025. Proposals will be accepted for review until funding is exhausted.Use this application to apply.
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The UNM Center for Teaching and Learning offers a variety of workshops to help faculty, GAs and TAs. This spring’s topics include generative AI, file accessibility, bridging the digital divide, assignment design and mid-semester feedback forms.
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The UNM FRDO has ongoing workshops for faculty throughout the semester.
Learn more about their offerings.
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The New Faculty Student Experience Project (SEP) is designed to engage early-career instructors in inclusive, evidence-based teaching strategies that support student belonging, motivation, and academic success.
Through short workshops, we will introduce easy-to-use tools such as syllabus reframing and effective feedback, and faculty will learn how to build trust and engagement with diverse learners from day one. This tailored SEP experience empowers new faculty to create equitable learning environments while building a strong foundation for their teaching practice. The CoP will start with an asynchronous activity in September and hold its first in-person meeting on September 19.Email StudentExperienceUNM@unm.edu or use this link for more information.
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UNM data show that during the pandemic, many faculty members spent less time on research and scholarship and related professional development as they revised their teaching and dealt with new and different demands in their home lives. As we transition out of the pandemic, the WeR1 Faculty Success Program seeks to support UNM faculty in new and creative ways.
The overarching goals of the WeR1 program are to:
— Modify institutional policies and processes to support faculty retention and advancement, increase transparency, decrease administrative burden, and work towards balanced service and teaching loads;
— Create structures that acknowledge and address the impact of the pandemic, which may last well into the next decade;
— Provide resources that allow faculty to transition, rebuild, recover, and/or refocus their research, scholarship, and creative work, through support that encompasses both small steps and expansive interdisciplinary initiatives;
— Develop new mechanisms for recognizing faculty success in all areas of the university’s mission;
— Build communication, collaboration, cooperation, and community across all UNM campuses.
Explore currently available opportunities below and visit the UNM Research page to see others.
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ECURE is an NSF-funded grant designed to leverage UNM’s research mission to enrich undergraduate education in STEM general education and portal courses. It is led and supported by Academic Affairs, the Office of the Vice President for Research, the Division of Equity and Inclusion, and the Office of Student Affairs. ECURE is based on the following key concepts:
— Engaging students in undergraduate research (UGR) experiences will positively impact their science literacy, science identity, and research self-efficacy, as well as their likelihood to persist and graduate at UNM.
— Engaging students in UGR in general education and portal courses will allow us to serve more students than co-curricular programming alone, and will help students connect course content to professional, community and research applications.
— Engagement in undergraduate research can be offered at varying levels of research immersion. These levels range from students learning about research without actually conducting research to students implementing all stages of their own authentic research projects (see descriptions of the levels below). All levels of early research immersion are useful to achieving desired student outcomes described above, and to creating more effective and diverse pathways to more advanced co-curricular research engagements within their majors.
To this end, ECURE supports instructors in incorporating undergraduate research components into their general education and portal sections, and studies the impact of these enriched engagements on student perceptions and behaviors.
Learn more.
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The UNM Office of Research Integrity & Compliance (ORIC) Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training Program provides education on the core principles of ethical research, including authorship, mentorship, data management, research misconduct, and the responsible use of human and animal subjects. The UNM Vice President for Research (VPR) created this in-house program to ensure compliance with federal requirements and to provide training tailored to UNM’s research environment. Our program is designed to meet the strictest federal standards, including those set by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), ensuring that all UNM researchers receive training that is both federally compliant and relevant to their disciplines. By developing the training internally, UNM can incorporate discipline-specific case studies, align with local policies, and provide a more engaging and practical learning experience for its research community.
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Please note that this year’s deadline has passed. Stay tuned for next year’s information.The WeR1 GROWL program, which will take place during the upcoming fall semester, is designed to support UNM faculty in revising and resubmitting previously declined grant proposals or funded grants that were terminated. Resubmissions can be revised/reframed proposals to the same or a different sponsor/program. By leveraging the higher success rates of resubmissions, the program will help participants gain insights into sponsor review processes and new agency priorities, improve competitiveness, and build confidence in interpreting and responding to feedback.Participants will engage in a variety of topics, including interpreting reviewer feedback, adapting proposals to meet sponsor guidelines and priorities, and refining communication strategies. Sessions will also provide peer review and support to create personalized plans for resubmission, with priority access to OVPR resources based on participants’ specific needs.Eligibility
- Participants must have submitted an extramural funding proposal that was declined or have been PI on a project that was terminated by a sponsor.
- If reviewer feedback was provided, participants should be prepared to share and discuss it during the program.
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The resubmission must be processed through UNM (via OSP, not an individual award).
Applications will be accepted until May 22 through the InfoReady Review portal. -
Please note that this year’s deadline has passed. A call for participants for the 2026-2027 cohort will be issued in spring 2026.
The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) is pleased to announce that the 2024 application window for the Program for Enhancing Research Capacity (PERC) is now open in UNM’s InfoReady Review portal. PERC supports acquisition of shared instrumentation or enhancement of shared facilities that enable major endeavors to advance discovery, creativity and innovation across campus. This program seeks to add or augment research capacity through the acquisition or upgrading of instrumentation for use by multiple investigators. Thus, the proposed equipment must be housed within a space accessible to more than one PI/lab group and must have multiple committed users either within a single department/college, or preferably from multiple departments and colleges. See this document for program eligibility and details.
Important dates for PERC:
- September 9, 2024: Application window opens in InfoReady Review
- October 25, 2024: Proposal due date
- December 11, 2024: Notice of award
- January 6, 2025: Proposals awarded/funds transferred for projects who have completed the required progress reports.
Learn more about past PERC awardees and the WeR1 Program for Faculty Research Support.
Federal Funding Updates
UNM Vice President for Research Ellen Fisher and HSC Vice President for Research Hengameh Raissy have been posting frequent updates for faculty related to federal funding actions. We’ve included the most recent ones below. Read more on the OVPR website.
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As we dive headfirst into Research & Discovery (R&D) Week at The University of New Mexico, it’s time to pause and reflect on the vibrant tapestry of innovation and inquiry that defines our academic community. However, this week serves not only as a celebration of our collective achievements but also as a crucial reminder of the external factors that can shape our research landscape, particularly in light of the current federal administration and its implications, including the ongoing government shutdown.
Indirect Cost Litigation Update: We continue to closely follow the litigation actions surrounding proposed indirect costs (F&A) rate caps from four federal sponsors. In all cases, the American Association of Universities (AAU) and other plaintiffs have filed suit against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Energy (DOE), National Science Foundation (NSF), and Department of Defense (DOD). In all cases, the rate cap policy is currently not in effect.
- NSF: The rate cap policy has been permanently vacated, and the litigation is complete with a win for the plaintiffs.
- HHS: The district court enjoined and vacated the NIH policy, and oral arguments happened yesterday, Nov. 5 before the First Circuit.
- DOE: The court has granted a stay of the briefing schedule because of the government shutdown.
- DOD: The defendants have until Dec. 15 to file a notice of appeal on the district court’s decision to vacate the rate cap policy because it is “invalid, contrary to law, and arbitrary and capricious.”
Federal Shutdown Guidance: As we have now moved into the second month of the federal shutdown, we want to remind everyone of a few things that may be impacting some units more than others:
- Please let UNM sponsored projects offices know immediately if you receive any stop work orders or other communication from funding agencies. It is imperative that we continue to communicate internally to ensure we stay compliant and are able to address emerging needs in a timely fashion.
- If you believe there may be short or long-term impacts to personnel, especially students or term employees, please let your research offices know immediately.
- This is a great time to remind everyone about the Term Employee Retention Initiative (TRI) that began earlier this year. We have had several successes through this program, and it represents how strong of a Pack we are here at UNM.
- We are in limbo when it comes to processing normal requests like no-cost extensions and new awards because while UNM internal processing is happening, it is unclear what is happening on the agency side. When the shutdown ends, processing times may also be a bit longer than usual as there will undoubtedly be a backlog of actions. Please be patient with our sponsored projects administrators.
- Regarding air travel, the FAA will soon begin limiting air traffic volumes and therefore curtailing the number of flights in-and-out of major airports, with mandated reductions starting on Nov. 8. Please be aware that work-related flight delays may be shifting from “possible” to “likely” as a result.
Where to find additional guidance on shutdown: As a reminder, additional guidance can be found on the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) website for central/branch campus faculty and the Sponsored Projects Office (HSC SPO) website for HSC faculty.
We will continue to provide updates regarding UNM’s response to the shutdown. As always, feel free to reach out to the Office of Sponsored Projects (Central campus) or Sponsored Project Office (Health Sciences Center) for specific questions.
Ellen R. Fisher, Ph.D.
UNM Vice President for Research
Professor of Chemistry
Hengameh Raissy, Pharm.D.
Vice President for Research, HSC
Professor of Pediatrics
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Lobos,
In light of the ongoing federal government shutdown, UNM researchers have remained consistent in our commitment to advancing knowledge and enhancing the research community.
In April, the New Mexico Legislative Council created the Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee (FFSS) to “create an inventory of federal funds flowing into New Mexico and provide recommendations with regard to recurring and non-recurring funds.” The FFSS is tasked with:
- Reviewing how federal funds impact New Mexico’s budget, including:
- Major recurring federal funding streams
- One-time appropriations
- Rulemaking and grant allocations
- Other high-impact areas, including research funding
On Monday, Oct. 20, VPRs Ellen Fisher and Hengameh Raissy participated in a FFSS meeting focused on federal funding in higher education institutions. The meeting highlighted presentations from the Council of University Presidents (CUP), the Higher Education Department, and Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) staff.
Working in collaboration with government relations teams from the following institutions (UNM, UNM HSC, NMSU and NMT), VPRs gave a brief, high-level presentation led by VPR Lique Coolen of New Mexico Tech that focused on:
- The impact of research across the state
- Loss of funding
- Delay in review process and release of awards
- Potential federal funding cuts
It is important to note that the FFSS and other state legislative committees are typically bipartisan in nature. Similarly, UNM’s status as a government institution necessitates nonpartisan institutional legislative engagement. Accordingly, UNM and HSC joined other NM higher education institutional partners to present impartial perspectives to the FFSS on the realities of a rapidly evolving and complicated federal funding landscape.
At this stage, FFSS co-chairs signaled they are not yet ready to make or entertain specific recommendations regarding state stabilization funding. Between now and the legislative session in January, the FFSS will develop recommendations for state budget policymakers intended to reflect where the state can realistically infuse high-impact, short-term funding to offset reductions in federal funding, particularly on issues that closely align with the state’s various strategic plans and underlying priorities.
In addition to the presentation by university VPRs, the NM state EPSCoR office was also invited to present to the FFSS. Both Director Gunny Balakrishnan and Associate Director Selena Connealy gave a well-received presentation on EPSCoR activities and the economic impact these activities have across our beautiful state.
It is significant that New Mexico’s FFSS chose to highlight university research, while highlighting UNM’s research enterprise and role in anchoring the state’s economy. We remain steadfast and determined to share with policymakers the real-world opportunities created by robust, community-engaged, basic, translational, and applied research programming within New Mexico’s higher education institutions, including our own. Advancing New Mexico remains our shared goal.
Ellen R. Fisher, Ph.D.
UNM Vice President for Research
Professor of Chemistry
Hengameh Raissy, Pharm.D.
Vice President for Research, HSC
Professor of Pediatrics
- Reviewing how federal funds impact New Mexico’s budget, including:
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Lobo Researchers,
Despite the current federal government shutdown, the Lobo research community continues to thrive and push forward with its important work. In light of these challenging times, we believe it’s essential to keep you informed about the proactive measures being undertaken on Capitol Hill by the various organizations advocating for higher education and research—organizations that proudly include The University of New Mexico representation. These organizations include (among others):
- The Association of Public & Land Grant Universities (APLU)
- The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
- The Council on Government Relations (COGR)
- The American Council on Education (ACE).
Here are a few of the recent actions these organizations have taken on behalf of UNM and other higher education institutions (HEIs):
- APLU submitted its letter on the Department of Homeland Security proposed duration of status rule that seeks to establish a fixed time period for students and exchange visitors, among others. The letter notes that the proposed rule will weaken the nation’s ability to attract top talent. ACE, AAMC, and APLU also joined a higher ed community wide letter and APLU joined a multi-sector letter with industry, education, and legal partners.
- APLU, the Association of American Universities (AAU), AAMC, and COGR submitted a joint response to the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) request for information (RFI) on Maximizing Research Funds by Limiting Allowable Publishing Costs (NOT-OD-25-138). The letter notes some of the potential unintended consequences of limits on publication costs that ultimately could undermine the effective dissemination of federally funded research.
- AAMC and APLU joined forces on a community letter to congressional leaders supporting the reauthorization of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Title VII health professions and Title VIII nursing workforce development programs, which are set to expire at the end of the fiscal year 2025 on Sept. 30, 2026. This issue, along with other FY26 program appropriations awaits final consideration and action by Congress.
- ACE, APLU, and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), among others, sent ahigher education community comment letter to the Department of Education on implementations of the One Big Beautiful Bill, advocating for implementation that fully considers the impact on all students and institutions of higher education.
- ACE and more than 60 other higher education associations sent a letter to congressional leaders urging them to ensure that all funds allocated in the FY2026 appropriations process are fully spent by the administration as intended by law.
We also have a couple of additional notes/reminders regarding new compliance requirements:
- The Department of Justice (DOJ) National Security Division rule titled “Preventing Access to U.S. Sensitive Personal Data and Government-Related Data by Countries of Concern” (RIN 1124-AA01) went into effect on Oct. 6. This rule stems from Executive Order 14117, which prohibits and restricts certain data transactions involving countries of concern and other entities deemed to pose national security risks. A short questionnaire on project data transfers has been added to the proposal and contract submission forms in our eRA systems.
- NIH released NOT-OD-25-160: NIH Policy on Enhancing Security Measures for Human Biospecimens, which goes into effect on Oct. 24. For projects involving NIH funds, distribution of human biospecimens to institutions or parties located in countries of concern is prohibited, except in very limited circumstances. Compliance with this policy will be managed through our eRA systems and by the respective campus offices for export control.
Lobo researchers, please continue to work closely with the UNM Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP), the HSC Sponsored Projects Office (SPO), our Contract and Grant Accounting (CGA) offices and our Research Compliance Offices as we await additional news out of our nation’s capital regarding the federal government shutdown.
Ellen R. Fisher, Ph.D.
UNM Vice President for Research
Professor of Chemistry
Hengameh Raissy, Pharm.D.
Vice President for Research, HSC
Professor of Pediatrics
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Lobo Researchers,
As we anticipated in our email to campus on Monday, the federal government has gone into a partial shut down as of 12 a.m. EDT. Despite the challenges posed by the shutdown, UNM remains steadfast and resilient in our commitment to advancing research in our state and around the globe.
In the past 48 hours, we have gathered valuable insights into the various communications and updates being shared by individual agencies on their websites:
The Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU), released a statement on the shutdown’s impacts on public and land-grant universities and called for The White House and U.S. Congress to find the path forward to reopen.
In further news, The White House announced that agency contingency plans will no longer be collated on a central webpage. Therefore, APLU developed this compilation of agency ‘lapse plans’ that covers all the major funding agencies. For example, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) link discusses specifically what activities will continue and which will not. Notably, the NIH has also issued a separate notification (NOT) that also provides useful information related to a lapse of federal government funding.
Our UNM Contracts and Grants Accounting (CGA) office has ensured that UNM can still request payment for expenditures on grants. For example, the National Science Foundation (NSF) will use available carryover balances to continue daily operations. The Awards Cash Management Service (ACM$) and the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) will remain available for the submission and processing of valid payments for recipients and contractors. Recipients may continue performance under their NSF awards during a lapse in appropriations, to the extent funds are available, and the period of performance of the grant or cooperative agreement has not expired. In the event of a lapse, more detailed information on NSF operations for recipients, panelists, and employees will be posted and will be updated as necessary during a lapse.
As a reminder, additional guidance can be found on the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) website. We will continue to provide updates regarding UNM’s response to the shutdown. In the event of a long duration shutdown, additional guidance will be issued. As always, feel free to reach out to the Office of Sponsored Projects (Central campus) or Sponsored Project Office (Health Sciences Center) for specific questions.
Ellen R. Fisher, Ph.D.
UNM Vice President for Research
Professor of Chemistry
Hengameh Raissy, Pharm.D.
Vice President for Research, HSC
Professor of Pediatrics
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Lobo Researchers,
The past couple of weeks have brought a range of news and revised guidance from the federal government.
Political Activity Guidance: An executive order (EO) released late last month directs the attorney general (AG) to investigate whether federal grant dollars are being used for lobbying or partisan political activities. The AG must provide a report within 180 days on the progress of the investigation. As long as University grant funds are not being used for lobbying or partisan political activities, which would be against the terms of our existing grant agreements and requires disclosure under UAP 2050, this EO does not create additional requirements on UNM at this time.
Indirect Cost News: The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) has created a list of indirect costs (IDC; also known as F&A) related prohibitions that have been drafted into FY26 appropriations bills, with those broader agency spending bills still under final consideration in Congress. These bills include specific prohibitions against unilateral caps on IDC (F&A) and other language that is designed to protect grantees from capricious changes to the current system of negotiated F&A rates. In the meantime, it appears the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has begun to draft new rules on IDC that may also include a shift in what can be considered allowable direct costs on grants, nominally on the basis of the directive given in this EO. We continue to monitor these initial steps by the federal legislative and executive branches closely.
Department of Education (DoEd) News: Last week, the DoEd announced it was ending discretionary funding to designated minority-serving institutions (MSIs), including Hispanic-serving institutions like UNM. Specifically, the discretionary grant programs that DoEd will cease to fund include both 2025 new awards and non-competing continuations, and DoED has announced its intentions to reprogram funding from the following:
- Strengthening Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions (Title III Part A);
- Strengthening Predominantly Black Institutions (Title III Part A);
- Strengthening Asian American- and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (Title III Part A);
- Strengthening Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions (Title III Part A);
- Minority Science and Engineering Improvement (Title III Part E);
- Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (Title V Part A); and
- Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (Title V Part B).
UNM has been affected by these cuts as we received notices of termination and notices of non-continuation last week for programs on central campus and at two of our branch campuses. We are actively working to analyze the full impact of and appeal these decisions.
NIH Update: Earlier this month, the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) posted revisions to the HHS Grants Policy Statement (GPS), effective Oct. 1. This updated version of the GPS conforms to the movement of all HHS grants from the old 45 C.F.R. Part 75 (the HHS version of the Uniform Guidance) to full Uniform Guidance treatment (found at 2 C.F.R. Part 200). In addition to changing all the citations to Part 200 and a new numbering system, the new HHS GPS adds several substantive updates, including:
- Civil Rights Assurances (2.5.4.3). The last version, posted on July 24, greatly streamlined the requirements. The new version adds mandatory certification language tied to, among other provisions, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, language already appearing in certain client awards.
- Significant Budget Changes (3.1.2.2). Prior approval is now required for cumulative budget revisions “expected to be more than 10% of the total budget amount approved by the agency, including cost share,” replacing the prior 25% threshold of total approved direct costs.
- No-Cost Extensions (3.1.4.1). Grantees will be required to request no-cost extensions at least 10 days “prior to the end of the budget period in the last year of the period of performance.”
- Lease Improvements (3.4.9). Added in last year’s changes, which finally makes “official” the longstanding practice of requiring a landlord letter of consent.
- Termination for Convenience (3.6.4). Explicitly grants HHS the right to terminate awards for its own convenience, with no appeal rights available.
Student & Exchange Scholar Visa Rules: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed new rules regarding student and exchange scholar visas. Specifically, DHS proposes to amend its regulations by changing the admission period in the F, J, and I classifications from duration of status to an admission for a fixed time period. The rules are open for public comment until Sept, 29. Our Global Education Office has submitted comments on the negative impact of the proposed changes.
As we approach the end of the Federal Fiscal Year (Sept. 30), we continue to monitor federal policymaking activity to understand what the impacts of the congressional FY26 appropriations conversations may have for UNM. Our website on partial federal shutdown guidance provides information on what you need to know as a researcher. Continue to monitor this site for updated information over the next couple of weeks.
Ellen R. Fisher, Ph.D.
UNM Vice President for Research
Professor of Chemistry
Hengameh Raissy, Pharm.D.
Vice President for Research, HSC
Professor of Pediatrics
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Lobo Researchers,
As we settle into the fall semester and anticipate a three-day weekend, this communication provides important updates regarding National Institutes of Health (NIH) awards and recent judicial actions that may impact our research community.
NIH Grants and Supreme Court Ruling
In our July 28 communication, we reported that all of UNM’s terminated NIH grants had been reinstated following a judicial order, for which NIH filed an appeal. On August 22, the Supreme Court delivered a closely contested ruling, deciding by a narrow 5-to-4 majority that the Administration is permitted to move forward with the cancellation of $783 million in National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants. These grants pertain to vital areas of research, notably those focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), as well as critical public health topics such as COVID-19, vaccines, and transgender health. This was a divided decision, as follows:- The Supreme Court determined that the prior District Court ruling ordering NIH to reinstate the terminated grants was not valid because the District Court, where the plaintiffs (including state attorneys general, scientists and associations) filed the case, lacked the jurisdiction to decide the matter and that the case should have been heard in the Court of Federal Claims, a special venue for contract disputes (similar to a ruling on a recent challenge to the Department of Education’s termination of grants). The Court of Federal Claims cannot, however, order grant reinstatement or enjoin the terminations; it can only award damages from the termination.
- At the same time, the Supreme Court also left in place — unless ultimately reversed on appeal — the District Court’s decision that the administration’s underlying policy guidance directing the cuts was unlawful and should be put on hold.
The UNM Office of University Counsel is closely following these cases. Currently, it is not clear how the administration and NIH will respond to the ruling and whether reinstated grants will be terminated again or be allowed to continue through their current budget periods or through the original project periods.
We continue to encourage PIs to maintain their research activities and expenditures as stated in their grants and in compliance with federal regulations.
Other NIH Updates
- NOT-OD-25-110: (released Aug. 7) NIH has re-enabled the No-Cost Extension (NCE) Functionalitywithin eRA Commons.
- Recipients may resume initiating first no-cost extensions in eRA Commons, in accordance with the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
- Requests that were previously submitted via the prior approval module that are under the Streamlined Noncompeting Award Process (SNAP) will not be reviewed, and recipients will need to initiate the first NCE within the Status module by using the Extension action.
- The HSC Sponsored Projects Office and main campus Office of Sponsored Projects are currently reviewing outstanding first-time NCE requests and will follow up with PIs who need to resubmit an NCE to the NIH.
- NIH also released a statement this week related to international research collaborations, Maximizing and Safeguarding NIH’s Investment in Foreign Collaboration. The statement provides principles to help guide international research. Research at international sites should have a clear scientific rationale for not being conducted in the country and should generate knowledge applicable to the health of Americans.
Thank you immensely for your dedication and perseverance during this transformative period. Your commitment plays a crucial role in navigating the ongoing changes we face. We encourage you to keep sharing updates with us regarding any communications from agencies and program officers. We continue to diligently monitor the situation from multiple perspectives and actively collaborate with institutional leadership, university counsel, and government relations to provide robust support for your important work. Together, we will continue to adapt and thrive in this evolving landscape.
Ellen R. Fisher, Ph.D.
UNM Vice President for Research
Professor of Chemistry
Hengameh Raissy, Pharm.D.
Vice President for Research, HSC
Professor of Pediatrics
Other resources for faculty
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Several recent studies have shown that faculty are more stressed than ever as they balance teaching and research with managing student and personal emotions during complicated times. We’ve compiled resources that are meant to support faculty physical and mental wellbeing. Are you using a resource at UNM that’s been helpful? Let us know so we can share! Email advance@unm.edu
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Learn more about the UNM Accessibility Resource Center through their list of FAQs for faculty members.
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CARS offers a wide variety of services to assist faculty, staff, their significant others at UNM including counseling on a wide range of issues such as anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, stress, job burnout, coworker conflict, eldercare, parenting, alcohol and drug use, grief and loss, managaing change and preparing for retirement. CARS provides other services, such as workshops and training, supervisor and manager workplace consultations, critical incident debriefing and grief intervention and referrals for services within the UNM Community and in the larger communities the client resides in, according to their website.
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Find mental health resources for faculty, staff and students at UNM.
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Ombuds Services is a “no-barrier, first-stop for UNM employees, their co-workers, and graduate students seeking guidance, information, and insight from a trusted, skilled neutral in a setting that is confidential, independent, and informal.”
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We’ve compiled a variety of guides on topics ranging from teaching and learning support to resources for students that faculty should know about. Learn more.
Policies for UNM faculty
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Faculty at UNM have flexibility in how they choose to discuss COVID-19 impacts on their progress in annual reviews. This memo remains in effect and applies to this year’s annual review process. Some of the options include discussing the impact of COVID-19 in research, teaching, and service statements, adding an overall impact statement as a supplementary document, or using a checklist. See an example here, which includes referencing lists of potential impacts; or not discussing it.
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Whether you are chairing a faculty search or participating in one, there is a lot to know. Find out crucial information from the Office for Academic Personnel.
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The following information on the requirement for researchers is from the Office of the Vice President for Research.
“Researchers, the timely submission of grant or contract reports is a mandatory condition for funding, and federal agencies are beginning to crack down on both PIs and institutions that are out of compliance. Currently, UNM has multiple projects with overdue reports to funding agencies.
PIs are responsible for submitting complete and accurate progress reports and final reports within the timeline required by the agency. To ensure UNM meets reporting compliance requirements and that our investigators can continue to access funding, the Office of the Vice President for Research will consider timely completion of progress reports a prerequisite for new funding submissions and for the distribution of F&A allocations to units, effective Oct. 1, 2024. More information.
Although the policy will go into effect on Oct. 1, to assist chairs, deans, and directors in maintaining compliance, a reporting dashboard is available to both PIs and administrators.”
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Stay on top of the latest information related to promotion and tenure at UNM with this webpage.
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UNM has a commitment to supporting religious observances by community members. Learn more.
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A 2020 policy at UNM allows an extension of the tenure clock to acknowledge the significant impact of COVID on research and scholarship. See this document for the policy and frequently asked questions.