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.
 

Savit Scholars

Savit Scholars are recognized for work that promises to push disciplinary boundaries and create new space for creativity, expression and connection. Funding is provided, in part, by the Savit Family Endowment.

Since 2017, Savit Scholars have expanded the possibilities for performance art, opened new ways of thinking about apparel design, produced a stage play from the testimonies of military veterans, created more interactive virtual reality experiences, opened inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ athletes at CU Boulder, pushed boundaries in art, film and more!

Selection

Savit Scholars are selected annually from among the pool of UROP Student Grant applicants with priority given to projects with impact in the arts and humanities.

2025 Savit Scholars

Ben Forman


Disconnected: Life in a Digital Reality

Mentor: Erin Espelie, Cinema Studies & Moving Image Arts

Grace Thompson


Culturally informed care of indigenous-associated animal remains in museum collections

Mentor: Anatasiya Osipova, Germanic & Slavic Languages & Literatures

Max Tkachenko


Political Corruption in the USSR: An Analysis of the Nomenklatura

Mentor: William Taylor, Anthropology

Previous Scholars

Savit Scholar Announcements

More about UROP's Savit Scholars

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