During a government shutdown, agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) generally pause new grant awards, proposal reviews, and program launches. Institutions with existing federal research awards may still be able to draw down previously obligated funds, but technical assistance, progress reviews, and application processing are typically suspended.

According to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), most federal research staff and grant managers are classified as nonessential and furloughed, resulting in delays that can extend well beyond the shutdown itself. Past shutdowns have led to cancellations of reserved time on national lab instruments, closures of field research sites on federal lands, etc.

The impact on undergraduate research is not yet clear, but students applying for NSF, NIH or other federally supported programs might experience delays in response times to email and program timelines might change. UROP advises students involved in projects to stay in communication with project mentors and be attentive to program websites for updates.

CU Boulder’s administration is working to minimize disruptions to research and other grant-supported activities. In the unlikely event that students with UROP funding experience changes in their ability to accomplish project goals, such as the availability of mentors and/or resources, UROP will not withdraw previously awarded funding.
 

UROP Procedures

  1. UROP will notify Education Abroad (EA) of all applications proposing international travel.  For student grant applicants, notices are sent to EA as faculty mentors complete and submit the Mentor Endorsement form.
  2. Applicants will be contacted by an EA representative and are expected to follow up in a timely manner—to start the International Travel Registration process, determine if additional compliance procedures are necessary and establish a timeline appropriate for their travel plans.
  3. EA will notify UROP that applicants have started the International Travel Registration process and alert UROP if an applicant's travel plans require an appeal from the International Risk Committee (IRC).
  4. UROP will send decision notices after EA confirms that applicants have started the registration process.
    • Applicants travelling to locations that do not require an appeal from the IRC may be issued payment before the travel registration process is completed.
    • Applicants travelling to locations that require an appeal from the International Risk Committee or additional compliance procedures will be issued payment only after their travel plan has been approved.  Award offers will be withdrawn if an applicant's travel plans are not approved by the IRC.  Applicants are responsible for notifying UROP of final IRC decisions.

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