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Federal Government Shutdown: Frequently Asked Questions for K-State Researchers
The federal government's fiscal year ends at midnight on September 30, 2025. At this time, Congress has not passed an Appropriation Act for FY2026, and it appears unlikely that a continuing resolution will be enacted. If this occurs, the Antideficiency Act (31 U.S.C. 1341 et seq.) requires a shutdown of non-essential government operations until funding is approved.
If the shutdown is brief, the impacts are expected to be minimal. Current grants may continue as long as budgeted funds are available and within their expenditure period.
Yes. Researchers should not experience problems continuing normal operations if project funds remain available. However, federally funded contracts could be subject to stop-work orders depending on their scope and requirements.
- Payments can only be processed for sponsors using automated electronic payment systems that do not require human approval.
- Requests requiring review, approvals, or manual processing will not be handled during a shutdown.
- For short-term shutdowns, this is not expected to cause major issues. For longer shutdowns, K-State must monitor cash balances and large expenditures closely.
- Payments can only be processed for sponsors using automated electronic payment systems that do not require human approval.
Yes. Like all grantees, K-State will proceed at its own risk. The university must monitor project accounts to ensure sufficient funds are available. The federal government has advised grantees to be frugal with spending during this period.
New awards, continuations, or additional funding will not be issued during a shutdown. This could affect ongoing projects and will require close coordination with departmental administrators, college business officers, and the Office of Sponsored Programs.
- Most peer review processes will cease during a shutdown, delaying scheduled review panels and slowing down new grant awards after reopening.
- Some submission portals and agency websites may be offline or unavailable.
- The Office of Vice President for Research will continue to prepare proposals, submitting as possible or holding submissions until portals reopen.
- Most peer review processes will cease during a shutdown, delaying scheduled review panels and slowing down new grant awards after reopening.
Data downloads from federal agencies may be affected. Access to IT systems, installations, or other sponsor involvement may also be curtailed, especially for cooperative agreements relying on government staff.
- Receipt of stop-work orders from federal sponsors.
- Possible furloughs or stop-work requirements for employees assigned to government facilities.
- Curtailment of project activities requiring government involvement, installations, or IT access.
- Receipt of stop-work orders from federal sponsors.
Some agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control, maintain essential staff and operations. However, most program operations, proposal reviews, and related activities will pause.
- The Council on Governmental Relations has provided a general list of shutdown considerations.
- Federal agencies are required to post agency contingency plans and FAQs.
- APLU has also issued federal government shutdown resources, which includes a compilation of federal agency lapse plans.
- Federal agencies will also send project-specific guidance to current grantees, which will be distributed by the Office of Sponsored Programs as received.
- For proposal or award questions: research@k-state.edu
- For payment-related questions: spaaccts@k-state.edu
- For proposal or award questions: research@k-state.edu
- The Office of the Vice President for Research will continue to monitor federal updates and share new guidance as soon as possible. We remain available to assist researchers and the broader K-State community throughout a shutdown.