Government Shutdown and Sponsored Activity

Each agency may handle the shutdown and determine essential personnel differently.

The following agencies have posted guidance:

United States Department of Agriculture

• Lapse of Funding Plan

United States Department of Commerce

• Plan for Orderly Shutdown Due to Lapse of Congressional Appropriations

United States Department of Education

• Contingency Plan for Lapse in Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations

United States Department of Health and Human Services

• Contingency Staffing Plan for Operations in the Absence of Enacted Annual Appropriations

Operating Division Details:

• FY 2026 Lapse Plan National Institutes of Health
• FY 2026 Lapse Plan Food and Drug Administration
• FY 2026 Lapse Plan Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health
• FY 2026 Lapse Plan Center for Disease Control and Prevention

United States Department of Homeland Security

• Procedures Relating to a Lapse in Appropriations

United States Department of State

• Updated Guidance on Operations During a Lapse in Appropriations

United States Department of War (Department of Defense)

• Contingency Plan Guidance for Continuation of Operations in the Absence of Appropriations

United States Environmental Protection Agency

• Contingency Plan for Shutdown

United States Department of Veterans Affairs

• Agency Operations in the Absence of Appropriations

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

• NASA Continuity of Appropriations Plan
• Additional NASA Guidance

National Science Foundation

• Plan for Operations During a Lapse in Appropriations

Legislative Branch

• Legislative Operations During Lapse in Appropriations: Guidance Issued by the Committee on House Administration

Institute of Museum and Library Services

• The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is closed due to a partial shutdown of the United States Government. As a result, IMLS is not engaged in grant-making or other agency activities. During this time, the institute will not be able to review or respond to any form of communication. No payments for discretionary grant programs will be made by IMLS until the agency is reopened. Further information can be found on the IMLS website.

While this is possible, principal investigators should continue to prepare and work with pre-award on proposals and proceed as if there will be no change in grant submission deadlines. The Office of Sponsored Programs will submit all proposals in systems that remain active during the shutdown. It is possible that some government systems may not be working during the shutdown. Investigators should continue to work on proposals and have them ready so that pre-award can process them according to the most up-to-date guidelines given by each specific agency once the shutdown is over.

Yes. Researchers should continue to work on their grants and contracts unless their agency or program officer advises them otherwise. Generally, awarded grants and cooperative agreements will continue but any modifications, increments of funding or other activities not already approved by the sponsor will most likely be impacted; federal contracts may receive stop work orders. These decisions are made by the agency on a case by case basis. Faculty should keep in close touch with their post-award administrator grants/contracts post-award administrator and check this page for the latest information.