Government Shutdown Information 2025

Federal Transition

November 10, 2025 

Oregon State University Community Members, 

As the federal government shutdown is nearing the end of its sixth week - the longest in history - we recognize the uncertainty and concern this may cause for many in our community. Please be assured that OSU leadership continues to actively monitor and strive to minimize impacts to university instruction, research, and operations. 

To keep essential research work moving forward, OSU has drawn on available federal funds and, where necessary, temporarily utilized institutional resources until reimbursement is made when federal operations resume. We are carefully evaluating the implications of delayed reimbursements should the shutdown continue and will communicate promptly if additional measures are needed. 

At this time, student financial aid reimbursements from federal payment systems have continued so current term financial aid has not been interrupted. OSU students and community members facing hardship due to other impacts of the shutdown may find support resources through the Dean of Students website, including the Basic Needs Center. 

Only a small portion of OSU’s active federally funded sponsored projects have been impacted. Should additional risks be identified in the coming weeks, we will reach out directly to affected researchers to provide guidance. 

We ask that everyone remain mindful of spending and preserving university resources during the shutdown. However, it is also imperative that work related to federally funded grants and contracts continues as planned, unless you receive explicit instructions to pause or a formal stop-work order from the sponsoring agency. OSU remains obligated to honor project commitments, meet milestones and furnish deliverables within established reporting deadlines, so please ensure project reports and other deliverables are submitted according to the schedule required in the award. 

In the event a stop-work order or pause notice is received directly by a PI, please ensure the communication is forwarded to [email protected] as soon as possible so OSRAA can review and advise on the requirements of the action. OSRAA will notify PIs of any stop-work orders received directly. 

The Division of Research and Innovation Government Shutdown website includes additional information on the implications of a shutdown. 

We remain committed to supporting the OSU community through challenges and uncertainties and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. 

Irem Y. Tumer
Vice President for Research and Innovation

Carla L. Hoʻā
Vice President for Finance and Administration
Chief Financial Officer

Takeaways

  • Federal funding remains lapsed without congressional approval of appropriations for the current federal fiscal year, resulting in a government shutdown since October 1, 2025.

  • OSU leadership is closely monitoring the impacts of the shutdown on university instructional, research and operational activities.

  • The federal government sponsors more than three-fourths of Oregon State sponsored research, education and outreach activities. 
  • OSU students will continue to receive financial aid disbursements for the current term.
  • A sustained shutdown could impact a wide range of research, education and outreach activities that are central to the mission of Oregon State University.

Guiding Principles During a Shutdown

  • Researchers with active, funded awards (grants and contracts) with obligated funds are generally able to continue project work during a shutdown unless the PI or institution receives a formal stop-work order for that award.  If a stop-work order is received, please forward it immediately to [email protected].
  • OSU remains obligated to continue performance of sponsored projects, including honoring project commitments, meeting milestones, and ensuring completion of deliverables within established reporting deadlines. Principal Investigators should ensure project reports and other deliverables are submitted according to the schedule required in the award.
  • While reimbursement from federal agencies is anticipated upon resumption of federal operations, it is recommended that spending be given careful consideration, prioritizing essential purchases necessary to continue operations during the shutdown period.
  • Researchers with projects requiring collaboration or action from federal employees that are affected by the shutdown or are formally directed to discontinue work may need to delay work until federal employees become available.
  • If federal facilities are closed, identify alternate facilities for researchers and students to continue their research.
  • Researchers have a continuing duty to ensure that research subjects (including animal and human subjects) are protected.
  • Federal agencies may not have agency personnel available to assist with prior approvals, support or administrative actions. Changes to grant activities requiring prior approval may need to be delayed as a result.
    • PIs should delay incurring expenses that need prior approval from sponsors during the shutdown period.
    • Active awards with obligated funds that are expiring are highest risk for impact on personnel paid from these funds.  
    • Researchers should contact OSRAA at [email protected] to discuss options for projects that may lapse due to delay of sponsor agency approvals or continuing budget authorizations.

Past Communications

October 1, 2025

Oregon State University Community Members,

We are closely monitoring the effects of the federal government shutdown that began today. As new guidance is received from the federal agencies important to the university’s mission and activities, we will evaluate and share potential impacts to OSU. At this time, all university employees should continue regular instructional, research, and operational activities within the parameters outlined below.

  • University Operations: General university operations are not expected to be impacted by a short-term government shutdown. While federal funding is a vital component of our institutional priorities, it is only one of many resources that comprise Oregon State University's overall budget.
    •  OSU is well-prepared to navigate temporary disruptions caused by a short-term federal government shutdown.
    • A sustained shutdown could create more significant impact to operations. We will continue to evaluate the effects of a longer-term shutdown and communicate any changes to continuity planning.
    • While reimbursement from federal agencies is anticipated upon resumption of federal operations, it is recommended that spending be given careful consideration, prioritizing essential purchases necessary to continue operations during the shutdown period.
       
  • Student Support: A short-term government shutdown will have limited immediate impact on OSU educational services and financial aid programs.
    • Financial aid disbursements will continue for the current academic term and are not anticipated to be affected by the shutdown.
    • If a shutdown extends beyond the current term, there may be other impacts to consider, and we will communicate information and mitigation plans as needed.
    • Students engaged in programs that rely on collaboration with federal agencies and personnel will likely experience delays in communication.
       
  • Research and Sponsored Programs: Most of OSU’s federal sponsored projects are expected to continue without interruption during a short-term shutdown.
    • Researchers should continue to work on federally funded grants and contracts unless they receive explicit instructions to pause or a formal stop-work order from the sponsoring agency.
    • OSU remains obligated to continue performance of sponsored projects, including honoring project commitments, meeting milestones, and ensuring completion of deliverables within established reporting deadlines. Principal Investigators should ensure project reports and other deliverables are submitted according to the schedule required in the award.
    • There may be a subset of sponsored projects interrupted, particularly if work must take place at a federal facility, there is significant federal personnel involvement in the conduct of the project, or if funded by a specific type of federal contract.
    • In the event a stop-work order or pause notice is received directly by a PI, please ensure the communication is forwarded to [email protected] as soon as possible so OSRAA can review and advise on the requirements of the action. OSRAA will notify PIs of any stop-work orders received directly.
       
  • Access to Federal Facilities and Systems: Many federal facilities and some agency systems will be inaccessible during the shutdown.
    • Federal proposal preparation systems are expected to be online during a shutdown so proposal submissions will continue as planned unless agencies publish extensions of submission deadlines.
    • Some federal grant management systems will remain available for submission of project reports and post-award requests (no-cost extensions, rebudgets, etc.). Principal Investigators should continue to work with RSS and OSRAA to submit these requests as soon as the need is identified so they are queued for review upon resumption of federal agency operations.
    • Access to many federal facilities will be restricted, even if the research activities taking place there are funded through non-federal sources. This could include federal spaces on or adjacent to OSU campuses, experiment stations, and Hatfield Marine Science Center. At this time, some federal facilities associated with OSU remain available and affected staff will be apprised should that availability change.
    • Impacted researchers should evaluate steps to maintain research continuity, such as relocating work to OSU-managed labs and making provisions to continue work within university facilities. Faculty and staff impacted by loss of access to federal facilities and collaborators should engage with their college and unit leadership for planning assistance.
       
  • Unavailable Federal Partners: Furloughed federal employees are legally prohibited from responding to emails or calls via agency communication channels during the shutdown. Additional guidance will be shared as we learn how agencies define essential and non-essential personnel, which will help us to determine which federal employees are furloughed.
    • Communication with furloughed Program Officers, other agency officials, and project collaborative partners will be unavailable or very limited for essential operations only.
    • Review of submitted proposals and issuing future awards will be delayed until federal operations resume, unless a specific agency confirms they are operational during shutdown.
    • Post-award requests (no cost extensions, rebudgets, etc.) will not be evaluated or approved by furloughed agency personnel during a shutdown period.
    • We ask that you remain mindful and respectful of the legal limitations placed on our federal partners during this time. Their ability to interact or collaborate may be significantly constrained, and your understanding is appreciated.

Additional information and guidance on the implications of a shutdown will be updated and available on the DRI Government Shutdown website.

We remain committed to supporting the OSU community through any challenges and uncertainties at this time and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

Irem Y. Tumer
Vice President for Research and Innovation

Carla L. Hoʻā
Vice President for Finance and Administration
Chief Financial Officer

September 26, 2025

Oregon State University Community Members,

We are closely monitoring the potential impacts of a federal government shutdown to Oregon State University operations. These impacts will vary depending on the exact duration of a shutdown, should one occur.

Based on review of federal agency contingency plans, we expect to be able to continue drawing federal funds for most university research, outreach and other federally sponsored programs. There are a limited number of federal contracts that may be most affected by potential stop-work orders, and those projects will receive direct guidance regarding continued operations during a shutdown.

Similarly, we are assessing the potential impacts of a shutdown on OSU students. A short-term government shutdown will have limited immediate impact on OSU educational services and financial aid programs. Financial aid disbursements will continue for the current term and are not anticipated to be affected by the shutdown. If a shutdown extends beyond the current term, there may be other impacts to consider, and we will communicate information and mitigation plans as needed.

It is recommended that those of you engaged in submitting proposals, working with federal agencies to receive funding, or pursuing agency approval of project changes, continue to reach out to your program officers or agency contacts to confirm processing of these actions prior to the end of the federal fiscal year, in case of a lapse in federal operations.

Ways in which a federal shutdown could impact OSU research and sponsored program activity:

  • Federal proposal preparation systems are expected to be online during a shutdown so proposal submissions will continue as planned unless agencies publish extension of submission deadlines.
  • Review of submitted proposals and issuing future awards will be delayed until federal operations resume.
  • Awards issued prior to shutdown are typically obligated when OSU receives them. Agencies will notify us if funding for awards already issued is at risk.
  • Payments from some federal agencies may be delayed until federal operations resume.
  • Post-award requests (no cost extensions, rebudgets, etc.) will not be evaluated or approved by agencies during a shutdown period but should continue to be submitted as soon as the need is identified.
  • Communication with Program Officers and other agency officials will be limited or unavailable during shutdown so connect as soon as possible if there are pending activities needing agency input.

The Division of Research and Innovation Government Shutdown website includes additional information on the implications of a shutdown.

In the days ahead, we will provide updates as new information regarding a potential lapse in federal operations becomes available. We remain committed to minimizing the impact of a federal shutdown on the OSU community.

Irem Y. Tumer
Vice President for Research and Innovation

Carla L. Hoʻā
Vice President for Finance and Administration
Chief Financial Officer

September 19, 2025

Oregon State University Community Members,

We are writing to assure you that OSU is closely monitoring the status of Congressional negotiations to fund federal government operations beyond September 30, 2025. If funding legislation is not adopted by that time, impacted federal departments and agencies will cease non-essential operations until funding is restored. At this time, negotiations are ongoing and we are uncertain whether a federal funding agreement will be reached in time to avoid a shutdown.

Oregon State University receives significant federal funds for research, service programs and student financial aid. We are evaluating potential impacts of a government shutdown, in addition to other concerns for changes in the federal funding important to all aspects of university operations and preparing for any possible outcome.

We recommend those of you engaged in submitting proposals, working with federal agencies to receive funding, or pursuing agency approval of project changes, reach out to your program officers or agency contacts to confirm processing of these actions prior to the end of the federal fiscal year in case of any lapse in federal operations.

A short-term government shutdown will have limited immediate impact on OSU educational services and financial aid programs. Financial aid disbursements will continue for the current term and are not anticipated to be affected by the shutdown. If a shutdown extends beyond the current term, there may be other impacts to consider and we will continue to assess and communicate information as needed.

University officials remain in frequent communication with members of Oregon’s Congressional delegation and other federal leaders on the status of federal funding for government operations, and the importance of investment in programs important to Oregon State University’s mission and operations.

For FAQs and additional information on the implications of a shutdown on research, visit the OSU Division of Research and Innovation website.

We will keep you informed of further details regarding federal funding legislation or other budgetary actions and their effect on OSU operations. As always, we are committed to minimizing the impact to OSU’s student success, research, and land grant mission.

Irem Y. Tumer                                                              
Vice President for Research and Innovation                

Carla L. Hoʻā          
Vice President for Finance and Administration
Chief Financial Officer

FAQ Regarding Federal Shutdown

The federal agencies and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) have plans that guide their changes to operations in the event of a shutdown. Agency plans and impacts on operations will vary, but there are some consistent impacts to expect. Federal employees will cease routine activities in proposal processing, award issuance, program oversight and payments/accounting. Access to federal facilities and resources will cease, with some possible exceptions. Most ongoing federally sponsored research, education and outreach activities at Oregon State can continue without interruption for the short-term. More information about the types of activities that may be impacted by a shutdown, including impacts of a longer-term shutdown, are outlined in this document.

The White House OMB website no longer hosts federal agency contingency plans, so APLU has developed a compilation of agency “lapse plans.”

A short-term government shutdown will have limited immediate impact on OSU educational services and financial aid programs. Financial aid disbursements will continue for the current academic term and are not affected by the shutdown. If the shutdown extends beyond the current term, there may be delays and OSU will further communicate any impact to students as we receive guidance from the federal agencies.

Federal agency submission systems remain available and OSU has continued to successfully submit proposals during the shutdown. We recommend all principal investigators keep close attention to submission dates in the event of changes. Unless you hear otherwise from the agency, PIs should continue to plan to meet established deadlines for proposal submissions. Deadlines may be extended for some opportunities, but proposals will continue to be due unless the funding agency issues new guidance.  

Review of proposals by federal agencies will likely be delayed, dependent on each agency's determination of essential operations. 

Most federal agencies will not issue new awards during the shutdown. A shutdown will cause a delay in projects selected for funding to receive an award but it should not impact their selection for funding. Projects that are time sensitive may be negatively impacted by this delay. After a shutdown is lifted, there will likely be a delay in the federal government resuming normal operations and additional delays should be expected.

  1. Short-Term: Most federally sponsored research, education and outreach activities are funded through grants and cooperative agreements and are expected to continue without interruption in the short-term.  
  2. Federal Contracts: Although most OSU sponsored programs are grants or cooperative agreements, we have a handful of Federal Contracts which may be immediately impacted. Certain Federal Contracts will receive a Stop Work Order. With limited exceptions, Stop Work Orders require the immediate stop of all project work and all expenses. OSRAA will be in immediate contact with PIs who receive a Stop Work Order. If you receive a Stop Work Order, please forward it to OSRAA at [email protected].
  3. Unless directed by a stop work order or other agency notice, or university notice, federally funded project personnel may continue working during the shutdown.
  4. Federal Facilities and Resources: Access to federal facilities will be extremely limited. Most research taking place on federal sites will be impacted. If possible, identify alternate facilities for researchers and students to continue their research. Most agency staff will not be working and will not be available for inquiries.
  5. Project Changes: Most federal agencies will not process future funding increments, supplements or no-cost-extensions.  
  6. Progress Reports: Many agency websites remain active and are accepting submission of reports. Principal Investigators should ensure project reports and other deliverables are submitted according to the schedule required in the award.

Some federal agencies will not issue any payments for federal research that OSU is performing during the shutdown period. The university will use its cash reserves to sustain delayed reimbursement for a short period of time. A prolonged shutdown without timely federal reimbursement will force OSU to consider curtailment measures to reduce the negative cash flow.  

The lack of federal funding in a prolonged federal shutdown will have greater impact on our sponsored research, education and outreach activities as well as our faculty and students who perform those activities. More information will be issued if OSU needs to further consider or implement curtailment measures.

Other Resources and Informative Links:

If you have additional questions or specific project concerns, please contact [email protected].