Updated: Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Cornell does not expect a federal government shutdown to have an immediate, significant impact on existing federally sponsored awards (grants or contracts) or on deadlines for submission of proposals or progress reports to federal sponsors.
Existing federally funded grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts may continue spending until currently obligated funds are expended unless otherwise instructed. New federal awards, cooperative agreements, and contracts (including currently unobligated increments, supplements, and renewals) will not be issued by federal agencies, and federal contracts will not be executed.
If You Need a No-Cost Extension in the Next 30-60 Days
- For projects that are set to end during a potential shutdown, if you anticipate the need for a no-cost extension, request it now via your assigned Grant & Contract Officer (GCO) in the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) because federal agency approvals will not be processed during a shutdown.
Prior to a Potential Shutdown: No Immediate Changes
- Proceed with your projects as usual, with no adjustments to project-related obligations.
- If you receive a “Stop Work Order” from a sponsor, notify your GCO at OSP as soon as possible.
- Proposal submission deadlines remain the same unless the agency advises of a change.
If a Shutdown Occurs
- Proceed with your projects as usual, with no adjustments to project-related obligations.
- Continue to submit proposals to federal agencies.
- Federal Agency Impacts
- Agency proposal review and award actions, including annual increments and prior approvals, will be deferred until the shutdown ends.
- If you receive a “Stop Work Order” from a sponsor, notify your GCO at OSP as soon as possible.
- Proposal submission deadlines remain the same unless the agency advises of a change. Cornell GCOs will stay current on known federal agency changes to submission deadlines and processes, and will post updates on this page.
- NIH Notice: Information for the NIH Extramural Community During the Lapse of Federal Government Funding
- Reporting Impacts for Cornell PIs and Cornell Units
- You should continue to submit progress reports on time, as required.
- Cornell will continue to prepare and submit financial reports and other closeout documents on schedule.
- Individuals Working for the Government
- We will contact individuals working for the government through Interagency Personnel Agreements (IPAs). They should follow the instructions issued to them by their government supervisor.
Nonfederal activity (e.g., research or education programs sponsored by other organizations) should be unaffected by a federal government shutdown, and you should continue those activities as planned.