Executive Order 14247 FAQs: Remittance of Paper Checks & Receipts

Posted Jan. 14, 2026

Table of Contents

Questions

  1. What is Executive Order 14247?

    On March 25, 2025, Executive Order 14247 was issued, entitled "Modernizing Payments To and From America's Bank Account." In Section 3 of the executive order, titled Phase Out of Paper Check Disbursements and Receipts, all federal agencies are required to transition to electronic funds transfer (EFT) methods for all disbursements and receipts, which means the U.S. National Science Foundation will no longer issue paper check payments and will begin to phase out receiving incoming paper checks. 

  2. What is changing?

    • Disbursements: NSF will cease issuance of paper check disbursements. 
    • Remittances: Furthermore, NSF will continue to accept paper check remittances for the foreseeable future, however, beginning in FY 2026, checks will be considered the exception as a method of returning funds and not the standard. Recipients will be directed to use an electronic method, via Pay.gov or Credit Gateway, and NSF will analyze paper check receipt volume to conduct targeted outreach to these recipients advising them of the upcoming change. This phased communication approach will help NSF and the community achieve full compliance with the executive order. 

  3. Who is Impacted?

    • Disbursements: This change involves international recipients without a U.S. bank account. For these recipients, NSF will now issue payments via wire transfer only. 
    • Remittances: This change impacts all recipients (e.g. NSF awardees, contractors, travel panelists). 

  4. What are the deadlines?

    • On Sept. 30, 2025, NSF will cease the issuance of paper check disbursements. 
    • Starting Oct. 1, 2025, checks as a method of returning funds will be considered the exception for collecting funds and not the standard. 

  5. As an international recipient, how will the NSF disburse the funds?

    For the impacted recipients, NSF will now issue payments via wire transfer only. 

  6. How do I return funds to NSF?

    If a recipient needs to remit funds, the remittance can be completed in two ways: Pay.gov or Credit Gateway. When electronic remittances are not practical, contact the NSF Division of Financial Management (NSF DFM) at (703) 292-8280 or at dfmpab@nsf.gov to discuss the specific circumstances. 

    Option 1: Pay.gov 
    Click the link below and follow the instructions to fill out the NSF remittance form on Pay.gov. You must enter the award number in the specified field to ensure proper credit is given. 
    Send a refund to NSF via Pay.gov. 

    Option 2: Credit Gateway 
    An alternative electronic method to remit funds to NSF for institutions who have expressed they are unable to use Pay.gov or continue to use checks. This option uses an ACH credit method for processing remittances, which differs from the ACH debit method used by Pay.gov. Specific FAQs and onboarding information can be found in the Resources section of the Payments and Analytics Branch web page.
     

  7. How long does it typically take for an international wire transfer to reach my bank account?

    International wire transfers normally take 7-10 business days from the date of the acceptance/approval of your payment request to deposit.

  8. How do I change my banking information for an international account?

    Under the current process, the payee provides their banking information for every payment, even if they have been paid in the past.

  9. What information is required for an international wire transfer?

    The IBAN and SWIFT code is needed to process international wires.

  10. Where do I go for more information or guidance for submitting my banking?

    Please direct questions to NSF DFM using the following inbox: dfmpab@nsf.gov.

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