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.
 

Payment Process

1 Award Offers

UROP makes award offers in decision notices sent by email. Faculty should be attentive to their awarded grant term, because the timelines for these steps differ by term and may require action soon after awards are issued.

2 Award Acceptance

Faculty must accept or decline award offers using an online form linked in their decision notice by the deadline posted online. When funding is awarded, account managers are sent an email to confirm details of the transfer.

3 Open Opportunities

If faculty opted to have their project posted as an open opportunity on our website and promoted among LEAD Alliance communities, all projects will be released soon after the award acceptance deadline.

4 Funding Transfer

UROP pays faculty grants by transferring awarded funds directly to recipients near the beginning of the grant term. UROP follows up with an email to recipients with the journal entry  (JE#) of the transfer.

5 Student Payment

Faculty are expected to spend UROP funding according to the budgets outlined in awarded proposals and to track their expenses for potential audits. We encourage faculty to prioritize social justice in the recruitment and selection of students.

Empower inspiring students with transformative opportunities. 

Support UROP