Dear Colleagues:

Passing this message along for everyone's benefit since I do not recall seeing mention of this recent OMB memo in our listserv.

Thanks,

Robert

*******************

Roberto M. Gutierrez, M.S.
Associate Vice President for Research
Florida International University
Office of Research and Economic Development
11200 SW 8th St. (MARC - 430)
Miami, FL 33199
Tel. (305) 348-8312
Office (305) 348-2494
Fax. (305) 348-4117
e-mail: xxxxxx@fiu.edu

--
From: NSSC-PR-Correspondence <xxxxxx@mail.nasa.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2025 10:34 PM
To: NSSC-PR-Correspondence <xxxxxx@mail.nasa.gov>
Subject: Message for grantees RE OMB M-25-33
Importance: High

Note: This message originated from outside the FIU Faculty/Staff email system.

Dear NASA grants community,

On September 12, 2025, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released memo M-25-33,<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/M-25-33-Eliminating-Funding-of-Unlawful-Discrimination.pdf__;!!FjuHKAHQs5udqho!MCyLqw-ae2thHrB-etNCHtM9M3RB_n-JI1YQLMli7HHlzU_BY_mKCp6mr6dN-ZPj9uPBqTEBKEAsNRY3khX95dSk3ePLH7HD$> Elimina ting Funding of Unlawful Discrimination. For your awareness, NASA is providing a summary of key points below.

* M-25-33 reminds federal agencies, as well as recipients of federal financial assistance, of guidance in a Department of Justice (DOJ) memo, titled Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination,<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.justice.gov/ag/media/1409486/dl?inline=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery__;!!FjuHKAHQs5udqho!MCyLqw-ae2thHrB-etNCHtM9M3RB_n-JI1YQLMli7HHlzU_BY_mKCp6mr6dN-ZPj9uPBqTEBKEAsNRY3khX95dSk3XpsAg3z$>  that was issued on July 29, 2025.
* The DOJ guidance provides "non-binding suggestions to help entities comply with federal antidiscrimination laws and avoid legal pitfalls." The memo describes DOJ's recommendations on how entities can avoid potentially unlawful practices, and grant and cooperative agreement recipients should review this guidance carefully.
* DOJ provides examples of potentially unlawful and discriminatory practices, such as unlawful preferential treatment; proxies for race, sex, or other protected characteristics; segregation; and DEI training programs.
* The memo describes non-binding best practices that can be implemented to avoid these potentially unlawful practices, such as "focus on skills and qualifications", "eliminate diversity quotas", and "establish clear anti-retaliation procedures."
* DOJ concludes their guidance by urging federal funding recipients to review all programs, policies, and partnerships to ensure compliance with federal law and discontinue any practices that discriminate on the basis of a protected status.