Monday, Oct. 20
The U.S. government is entering its fourth week of the federal shutdown, and, as, previously communicated, Institute leadership will begin to implement mitigation strategies — effective 10/20/2025 — to preserve cash and maintain essential campus operations during this shutdown. These measures, developed with guidance from the Federal Shutdown working group, apply across the entirety of Georgia Tech, regardless of funding source.
As a reminder, these strategies include significantly limiting the following activities:
Purchases, major contracts, and other significant non-personnel expenditures.
Non-essential travel.
New job offers.
Consulting services.
How Does a Federal Government Shutdown Affect Georgia Tech?
The impasse is delaying payment for federally funded research activities at Georgia Tech, which represent more than $100 million per month in expenses. During a government shutdown, research institutions like Georgia Tech must take measures to plan for long-term financial health and research continuity.
As a result of the continued shutdown and delayed payments from federal sponsors, the Institute is now activating mitigation strategies to help preserve cash, maintain campus operations, and fulfill our academic and research mission. These measures – developed with guidance from the Federal Shutdown working group – apply across the entirety of Georgia Tech, regardless of funding source.
Additional information, including strategy guidance and FAQs, can be found here. Access to guidance related to hiring, travel, and other non-personnel expenditures is single-sign-on protected. These online resources will be maintained throughout the shutdown and updated as the situation continues to develop.
Proposal Submissions
Grants.Gov (we use Cayuse at Georgia Tech) and Research.Gov will be operational and accepting proposals if there is a shutdown. Please proceed with your proposal submissions in a normal fashion. Reach out to your contracting officer with specific questions or to the Research Education Team at training@osp.gatech.edu if issues with any proposal systems.
General Guidance During a Shutdown
- Active grant and contract activity should continue but be mindful of your budget, particularly under contracts with limitation of funds or costs terms.
- Sponsors may decide not to allow application submissions.
- Expect delays and lack of federal communications from affected agencies related to your proposals. It is possible that some websites may go dark. You should consider downloading or copying information that is important to your work in case it becomes unavailable.
- Agency personnel may not be available for approvals, support or administrative functions.
- Affected agencies may temporarily stop making payments.
- The Office of Sponsored Programs will monitor the situation and communicate changes to federal and sponsor guidance. Check this website frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Frequently Asked Questions During a Lapse in Appropriations (White House: Office of Management and Budget)
For other questions or assistance, please contact your OSP Contracting Officer:
Government & Not-For-Profit Contracting for GTRC (Academic Units/RI) Directorate
Government & Not-For-Profit Contracting for GTARC (GTRI) Directorate
Corporate & International Contracting Directorate
Agency News and Contingency Plans
- National Science Foundation Assistance and Contract-Related Policy and Systems Issues During a Lapse in Appropriations
- National Institutes of Health Extramural Community During the Lapse of Federal Government Funding
- Health and Human Services FY26 Contingency Plan for Operations in the Absence of Enacted Annual Appropriations
- Department of Defense Contingency Plan Guidance for Continuation of Operations in the Absence of Available Appropriations
- Department of Agriculture Lapse in Funding Plans
- Department of Commerce Plan for Orderly Shutdown Due to Lapse of Congressional Appropriations
- Department of Education Contingency Plan for Lapse in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Appropriations
- Department of Homeland Security Procedures Relating to a Lapse in Appropriations
- Department of Justice FY2026 Contingency Plan
- Department of Labor Plan for the Continuation of Limited Activities During a Lapse in Appropriations
- NASA Continuity of Appropriations Plan
- Department of Transportation Plans for Operations During a Lapse in Annual Appropriations
- Department of the Treasury Lapse of Appropriations Plan
- Department of Veterans Affairs Human Capital Contingency Plan