Reminder Information for the NIH Extramural Community During the Lapse of Federal Government Funding.

Previous Notice

• 9.25.2025 Federal Government Shutdown – Contingency Plan

OSR Reminder:

The Office of Sponsored Programs has the Federal Government Shutdown Plan page with links to UC Office of the President has posted guidance on its Federal Government Shutdown webpage and Federal Agency Contingency Plans. 

NIH NOT-OD-26-004 Due to a lapse in federal appropriations, NIH staff will have limited or no availability to provide normal oversight, administrative support, or respond to communications. Faculty and institutions should note the following:

Awarded Grants and Funding:

• Active awards may continue, but NIH staff will not process notices of award (NoAs), prior approvals, or no-cost extension (NCE) requests until operations resume.
• Drawdowns from prior awards can continue via the Payment Management System (PMS), subject to existing controls and any restrictive award terms.
• Annual or final RPPRs should be submitted on time in eRA Commons, but NIH review will occur after operations resume.

Grant Applications:

• Submission systems (Grants.gov, NIH ASSIST, eRA Commons) remain operational, but applications will not be processed until operations resume.
• Peer review and Advisory Council meetings will be postponed, and results (scores, summary statements) will be released after operations resume.

System Access and Communications:

• eRA systems are available for limited, excepted activities; technical support will be unavailable.
• NIH staff will not access email, phone, fax, or postal mail. Policy and compliance inquiries should be delayed until operations resume.
• For human participant emergencies, contact Dr. Jon Lorsch ([email protected]).

Animal Welfare Oversight:

• The Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) operations will be paused; institutions must continue local oversight and maintain compliance. Deadlines for reporting and submissions will be extended.