Recent Guidance:
Previous Guidance:
Reminder Information for the NIH Extramural Community During the Lapse of Federal Government Funding.
Potential Federal Shutdown Guidance
Update (11/13/2025): The US government has passed a continuing resolution and is no longer in a shutdown. This guidance has been reworded for potential future federal shutdowns.
For a potential federal government shutdown, the UC Office of the President has posted guidance on its Federal Government Shutdown webpage. The Office of Sponsored Research will monitor Federal Agency Contingency Plans and sponsor communications for updates from our federal sponsors as applicable.
- What to Expect
- Federal Agency Contingency Plans (updated 10/01/25)
- Federal Agency FAQs (updated 9/29/25)
- UCSF FAQs (updated 10/01/25)
What to Expect During Shutdown
Proposal Submissions: The Proposals and Grants Teams will conduct business as usual and continue preparing and submitting applications to sponsors. Any exceptions will be based on agency contingency plans and communications. During a potential shutdown, OSR will continue to prepare competing and continuation proposals in anticipation of the resumption of business.
Federal Grants and Cooperative Agreements: Generally, for active awards there will be minimal impact and performance will continue. No new federal awards will be processed by federal sponsors for the duration of a shutdown. For pending federal awards, departments may, at their own risk, request to set up an award advance to spend funds prior to an award being received or approved. Once a shutdown is lifted, there may be further delays as the Federal Government resumes its operations.
Federal Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Agreement: Faculty working at a federal agency on an IPA agreement should immediately contact the agency to determine next steps.
Federal Contracts: Work on some contracts may be impacted by Stop-Work orders. OSR will monitor and advise PIs, as needed. If you receive a notification regarding impact on the activities of a federal services contract, please forward that notification to [email protected] immediately.
Outgoing Subcontracts: The Subcontract Team will continue to process Outgoing Subcontract requests for active awards.
Again, OSR will monitor the situation and provide details to the campus, as needed.
Please direct inquiries to [email protected].
Federal Agency Contingency Plans
- All Agencies – In accordance with Circular A-11, agency contingency plans for a lapse in appropriations are hosted solely on each agency's website (updated 10/01/25)
- OMB: Frequently Asked Questions (9/30/25)
- M-25-35 Status of Agency Operations (9/30/25)
- Department of Health and Human Services (updated 9/24/25)
- National Institute of Health (updated 9/24/25); NOT-OD-26-004 (updated 10/01/25)
- Department of Defense (posted 9/27/25)
- Department of Education (posted 9/28/25)
- Department of Homeland Security (posted 9/29/25)
- Department of Labor (posted 9/26/25)
- Food and Drug Administration (updated 9/24/25)
- Environmental Protection Agency (posted 3/25)
- National Science Foundation (posted 9/30/25)
Federal Agency FAQs
- Government Shutdowns and Executive Branch Operations: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (posted 9/2/25)
- OMB: Frequently Asked Questions (posted 9/30/25)
UCSF FAQs (updated 10/01/25)
PROPOSALS
Q: I understand that proposals will still be developed and submitted by OSR to federal agencies, including NIH, if possible, but will proposals be reviewed during the shutdown?
A: Peer reviews/study sections are not expected to occur during the shutdown. OSR will monitor agency guidance regarding changes to deadlines, expectations for proposal review, etc., and provide additional details as they become available.
NIH NOT-OD-26-004 states that for the duration of the funding lapse applicants should continue to submit applications in accordance with the due dates in the Funding Opportunities.
Q: Will the NIH be performing study section reviews on grant proposals during the shutdown?
A: Study section reviews are not expected to occur during the shutdown, which could lead to delays in proposal reviews.
NIH NOT-OD-26-004 states that for the duration of the funding lapse, NIH will not be able to conduct peer reviews.
AWARDS
Q: I am expecting an award based on information received from a federal sponsor, but the award has not been issued. I was planning to transfer lab staff to the new award to begin work. Can I begin work on the project since I know that it will be funded?
A: No new federal awards will be issued by federal sponsors during a shutdown. Departments may, at their own risk, request to set up an award advance to spend funds prior to an award being received or approved. To do so, contact [email protected].