Faculty Guidance and FAQs

Federal Government Shutdown - October 1 2025

The U.S. federal government shutdown on October 1, 2025, the first day of the new federal fiscal year.  Congress did not reach an agreement on a continuing resolution (CR) or full-year appropriations. While negotiations continue, no resolution has occurred. Each federal agency will implement its own contingency plan, including determinations of “essential personnel” and how ongoing grants and contracts are managed. Projects should continue unless you are specifically advised otherwise by your federal program officer or sponsor. 

FAQs

Recommended steps:

  • Review project timelines: Identify federally funded awards expiring between October 2025–March 2026 and request extensions early if needed
  • Transactions and Approvals: Ensure all transactions (e.g., payroll, procurement, and expenditure corrections) are entered into WyoCloud in a timely manner and approvals are completed without delay.
  • Address open issues: Resolve pending programmatic or administrative matters with your program officials now, anticipating potential delays if agency staff are furloughed.
  • Monitor proposal deadlines: Follow current submission guidance but expect possible changes. Check agency websites and submission portals regularly and download solicitations and application instructions in advance.
  • Plan for funding delays: New awards and amendments are generally not issued during a shutdown. Consider submitting a Pre-Award Spending Request with departmental approval and a guarantee account. Pre-Award Spending accounts are at the department’s risk.
  • Reporting obligations: Submit required progress reports or deliverables on schedule, even if sponsor staff are unavailable to review them.
  • Payments: Federal payment systems (e.g., PMS) may remain operational, but processing delays are possible if financial staff are furloughed.
  • Communications: Federal program officers who are furloughed may be unable to respond until the government reopens.

 

University operations, including Pre-Award Services, Compliance and the Office of Sponsored Programs, will continue as normal. The University is monitoring developments closely and will provide updates to campus as new information becomes available. Please direct specific proposal or project inquiries to your assigned Proposal Coordinator and active award inquiries to your Post-Award Specialist. General questions about shutdown impacts can also be sent to Farell Rapp at fgraf@uwyo.edu. 

FaQ: Federal Government Shutdown and Sponsored Projects 

This document provides guidance for faculty and staff on how a federal government shutdown may affect proposals, awards, reporting, and communication with sponsors. 

Person Typing on a Computer

  • Federal electronic systems (e.g., Grants.gov, Research.gov, ASSIST) may remain operational, but help desks and program officer support may be unavailable.
  • Proposal deadlines may shift, depending on the agency. Always check the agency’s website or submission portal for updates.
  • Best practice: submit early and download solicitations and instructions in advance. Check agency websites and submission portals regularly 

  • Work on active awards should continue as planned unless you are notified otherwise by your program officer or sponsor.
  • Expenditures may continue to be charged to awards, but new obligations (e.g., subawards, large purchases) should be carefully considered in case of funding delays. 

  • New awards and amendments are typically not issued during a shutdown.
  • Anticipate delays in receiving new funding commitments once the government reopens.
  • To bridge funding gaps, you may request Pre-Award Spending with departmental approval and a guarantee account. 

  • Reporting portals may remain open, but sponsor staff may not be available to provide guidance or confirm receipt.
  • Submit all required reports on time if possible, but expect that review or approval may be delayed.

  • Payment systems (e.g., PMS – Payment Management System) generally remain functional, though support staff may be limited.
  • Cash flow to awards may be slowed. 

  • Many federal staff will be furloughed and cannot respond until the government reopens.
  • Document your communications and send urgent questions in writing, but do not expect immediate replies.

Please contact the Office of Pre-Award Services with specific proposal or project-related inquiries and the Office of Sponsored Programs with award-related inquiries.