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 for Individual Travel Grants

Award Offer

We send decisions by email, so students should stay attentive to their inbox. Decision notices are sent from urop@colorado.edu.

Award Acceptance

Students must accept or decline offers using an online form linked in their decision notice by the deadline in the notice.

Personal Information

Students without a CU employee identification number (EID) must submit the Personal Information (PI) form.

Payroll Entry

UROP's payment partners in the Human Resources Service Center (HRSC) enter award information into the payroll system and enroll students without an EID (using information from the PI form).

Direct Deposit

Students without an existing EID will need to setup direct deposit during the "direct deposit window" posted online, and students with an existing EID should double-check their information at this time.

Payment

Student awards are issued in one payment on the date posted in the decision notice. Students should check their accounts to ensure payment was received, and contact us as questions arise.

Timelines for Individual Travel Grants

Personal Information (PI) Form Due

September 5, 2025

Direct Deposit Window

September 13-17, 2025

Personal Information (PI) Form Due

October 3, 2025

Direct Deposit Window

October 11-20, 2025

Personal Information (PI) Form Due

October 31, 2025

Direct Deposit Window

November 8-16, 2025

We don't issue payments in December to give finance teams time for end-of-year tasks. Plan accordingly.

Personal Information (PI) Form Due

January 2, 2026

Direct Deposit Window

January 10-18, 2026

Personal Information (PI) Form Due

January 30, 2026

Direct Deposit Window

February 7-14, 2026

Personal Information (PI) Form Due

February 27, 2026

Direct Deposit Window

March 14-18, 2026

Personal Information (PI) Form Due

March 27, 2026

Direct Deposit Window

April 11-19, 2026

Personal Information (PI) Form Due

May 1, 2026

Direct Deposit Window

May 9-17, 2026

We don't issue payments in June to give finance teams time for end-of-fiscal-year tasks. Plan accordingly.

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