Federal Government Shutdown

Notifications and Guidance

In recent years, there have been several threats of a federal government shutdown. These circumstances place pressures on government funded research activities at UChicago. Recognizing that a federal government shutdown may compound and intensify challenges created by other federal government actions, below is guidance and information as we currently understand.  

In addition to the information below, COGR has also developed a list of items institutions should consider when preparing for possible government shutdowns. 

UPDATE: eRA Commons - Access Issues for New Accounts and Password Resets

We are currently seeing widespread access issues in eRA Commons:

  • Existing users cannot reset forgotten passwords
  • New users are not receiving temporary passwords for first-time logins
  • No workaround has been identified at this time

Click HERE for addition information.

 

In the event of a shutdown, the administration, distribution, and funding of federal contracts and grants will be impacted. It is important to note that each federal agency will apply unique procedures and protocols, including issuance of their own contingency plans and agency notices. The UChicago Research Community can generally expect the following during a shutdown:  

Communications with Agencies: Since non-essential federal employees are now furloughed, do not expect to get responses from federal agency staff on inquiries about grant programs, active awards, or potential proposals. New awards and new funding opportunities will be paused, and review panels are likely to be rescheduled. If you are waiting on award announcement for previously submitted applications, please be aware that there may be delays in award announcement.  

Proposal Submissions: PIs should continue to submit proposals through URA in accordance with existing federal agency deadlines and university policies.  

  1. Inquiries about upcoming deadlines, proposal preparation and applications, or actions requiring prior approval will likely go unanswered until the shutdown is resolved. 

  1. The proposal review process will be delayed. 

Technical and Financial Reports: If an electronic reporting system for a given agency remains available, then all reports must still be submitted by their original deadline. In the event of a failed technical report submission attempt, PIs should request a Help Ticket to document the attempt to file the report on time. These tickets will likely be able to be requested online even if the Help Desk itself is not being staffed. If a report is intended to be emailed, it too should be filed on time, though report “acceptance” by the agency may not occur until after the shutdown. It is unclear if federal electronic systems will continue to be functioning, but we will alert the community as we gain new information. 

Award Management: PIs may continue to spend on active federal projects if their authorization of funds and period of performance covers their project through the shutdown.  Grant payments to the University may be delayed  

Once the shutdown is lifted, there will still be delays as the federal government resumes its operations. Do not expect grants and contracts to be immediately issued the day or week after the shutdown ends. 
  • Effective October 1, 2025, federal appropriations have lapsed, and the federal government has entered a partial shutdown. 
  • Per the Office of Management and Budget, shutdown contingency plans are hosted on each federal agency’s website. RPAC’s list of contingency plans, located to the right of this text, will be updated as additional documents are available. 
  • NIH Notice NOT-OD-26-004 indicates that the HHS Payment Management System (PMS) will remain operational and recipients may continue drawing funds for existing awards during the appropriations lapse. However, recipients of grant awards with restrictive terms and conditions, or requests that trigger one of the PMS edit checks and/or the drawdown limit controls, may not be able to drawdown funds. Recipients can continue to complete and submit their Federal Financial Reports (FFR) in PMS, although NIH staff will not be available to review and process FFRs until operations resume. 
  • According to the National Science Foundation's website on Assistance and Contract-Related Policy and Systems Issues During a Lapse in Appropriations, NSF's Award Cash Management Service (ACM$) will be available for use by recipients to drawdown funds on existing awards. However, payments will be processed on an intermittent schedule until normal operations resume.  
  • Additional information is available in the U.S. Government's Frequently Asked Questions During a Lapse in Appropriations (PDF). 
  • NSF update 10/13/25: For Major Facilities Construction or Mid-scale Research Infrastructure Implementation activities, recipients may continue work only up until the next full monthly reporting period requirement, not to exceed 30 days, even if funds are available. Recipients must not enter into any subawards, contracts, or other like arrangements, that require NSF prior approval.
  • NSF update 10/27/25: For Major Facilities Construction or Mid-scale Research Infrastructure Implementation activities, NSF has determined that, to the extent funding is available, work on construction/implementation projects should continue past October 30, even if monthly or other status reports are due.