Dear Colleagues,
Many parts of the U.S. government may begin the process of shutting down after midnight tonight, September 30, if Congress doesn't pass a stopgap funding measure.
Generally, a government shutdown will have little immediate impact on the ability of ongoing federally funded research to continue. Still, the University of Maryland is closely monitoring the situation and taking steps to minimize the impacts on our research community.
Please review the following information to help navigate a government shutdown:
Current Federal Funding
Researchers may proceed as usual unless notified otherwise by the UMD Office of Research Administration or their federal sponsor. If you receive a Stop Work Order, work must cease, and no expenses can be incurred. Please immediately forward such correspondence to your Contract Administrator or oraa@umd.edu . Closely monitor obligated budget balances to avoid deficits while awaiting future obligations. Anticipated future funding remains subject to the availability of funds and should not be considered guaranteed.
No New Award Actions
During a shutdown, federal agencies will be prohibited from issuing new grants, contracts, amendments (such as continued funding increments, supplements or no-cost time extensions) requiring explicit prior federal awarding agency approval.
Proposal Submissions
Principal investigators (PIs) should submit proposals by the deadline set by the federal awarding agency unless notified otherwise. However, the proposal review process will be delayed. PIs should continue to meet all deadlines set forth in their awards and be able to submit annual and final project reports. Contact oraa@umd.edu with any questions about how to proceed.
Access to Federal Systems
Most federal agency staff will not be working. Inquiries about upcoming deadlines, applications, or actions requiring prior approval will likely go unanswered until the shutdown is resolved. Federal websites, business applications, and other systems may be unavailable or have limited functionality, including little or no support for problem resolution.
Anticipate Delays and Disruptions
Once the shutdown ends, there will be delays as the federal government resumes operations. If you have planned meetings, travel or conferences with federal funders or entities, make sure to check for postponements or changes beforehand. UMD employees who will be most directly impacted are those with ties to a federal agency or who work at federal facilities. For example, cooperative agreements with a federal research partner; students receiving direct stipends from the federal government under training grants; and projects or employees working on-site at a federal facility. Federal facilities may remain closed and work with federal partners will likely cease throughout the duration of the shutdown.
Please email research administration questions to Wendy Montgomery, Assistant Vice President for the Office of Research Administration, at wmont@umd.edu.
Sincerely,
Patrick O’Shea
Vice President for Research