OSP Memo on Federal Government Shutdown

MEMO FROM THE OFFICE OF SPONSORED PROGRAMS (OSP)

Re: Federal Government Shutdown (October 1, 2025)

Effective as of 12:00 AM on October 1, 2025, the Federal Government is shut down due to Congress' inability to arrive at a compromise that would allow for funding the government. There is still hope that a positive resolution to the situation can be agreed upon by our Congressional leaders in the coming days (or weeks) ahead and that this shutdown is a temporary measure. Nevertheless, we wanted to provide an "FYI" to the campus to provide notification that the shutdown could have some impacts on grants and contracts that the institution has with the Federal Government.

Every shutdown is different and this one could also be unique. However, if past is precedent, then we may have at least a basic idea of what to expect during what we hope will be a brief shutdown. A few examples below reveal what we might see with this shutdown:

·       In the past Grants.gov continued to take proposal submissions, even though some of the Federal agency systems that receive proposals from Grants.gov were not operational. However, to ensure that proposals were counted as "submitted on time", they still needed to be submitted to Grants.gov by the published deadline. 

·       NSF Fastlane (now NSF Research.gov) did shutdown during the last shutdown in 2018 which lasted 35 days. Fastlane allowed for late proposal submissions due to the shutdown, but provided very little turnaround time—and thus very little "leniency"-- once the shutdown ended and systems resumed normal operation.  Therefore, the Office of Sponsored Programs is recommending we continue with "business as usual" submitting proposals by their due dates to ensure maximum opportunity for eventual award.

·       A shutdown will result in the delayed receipt of new awards, increments, modifications, and extensions from the affected Federal agencies.

Historically, the impacts from a shutdown are typically agency-specific (and in some instances, they might even be award-specific).  In previous years, agency-specific information was compiled on a list and provided by the Executive Branch (White House/OMB). However, the instruction this time is the following:

" In accordance with  Circular A-11, agency contingency plans for a lapse in appropriations are hosted solely on each agency's website".

 (See https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/information-resources/guidance/miscellaneous/)

OSP, OCGA, and ORCA will continue to monitor the news and situations that are constantly developing in regards to the shutdown.  We will provide updates and guidance throughout the legislative process as they become available. At this time, the Office of Sponsored Programs is recommending we continue with business as usual.

Our goal is to help inform UMBC's research and Creative Achievement community with what the next necessary steps and procedures might be.  And we sincerely hope that the required federal funding bills are soon passed or that a Continuing Resolution (CR) is obtained to at least stabilize the current funding volatility.

Additional COGR Links:

Considerations for a Federal Government Shutdown Updated: September 2025

COGR Statement on LinkedIn Regarding the Federal Government Shutdown (October 1, 2025)

Best Regards,

Michael T. Walsh

Director, OSP