GW Research Community,
As you are aware, a federal government shutdown is still in effect. University leadership, the Office of the Vice Provost for Research (OVPR), and other campus partners are actively monitoring the situation and its potential impact on GW’s research enterprise.
Most sponsored projects will remain unaffected in the short-term. However, disruptions may occur if the work relies on access to federal facilities or requires guidance from agency staff. It is also important to note that no additional funds will be disbursed from impacted agencies until they resume operations.
To support the research community during this period, OVPR offers the following guidance:
- Continue working on federal awards and submit all required reports (technical, progress, and financial) according to their original schedules. Activities that require prior sponsor approval should be postponed until such approval is received.
- Be mindful of spending. Most federal awards are cost-reimbursable and a delay in reimbursement is likely. Investigators should be prudent in making significant or non-essential expenditures (e.g., equipment, supplies, and travel) during the shutdown.
- Follow all previously published proposal deadlines. Proposal submission systems (e.g., Grants.gov, eRA Commons, NASA NSPIRES, and NSF Research.gov) are expected to remain online. However, submitted proposals will not be processed until agencies resume normal operations.
- Notify OVPR if your project requires access to a federal facility that is no longer accessible to you or other GW project staff. Documenting these instances may be important for resolving future issues.
- Immediately forward any shutdown-related notices from your federal sponsor to osr
gwu [dot] edu (osr[at]gwu[dot]edu). The Office of Sponsored Projects will review the information and provide further guidance.
GW research administrators are available to assist affected investigators. Investigators should contact their assigned research support team (RST), who will coordinate with OVPR and the Office of Sponsored Projects as needed.
OVPR will continue to share updates and guidance related to the shutdown. For general questions or concerns, please email askovprgwu [dot] edu (askovpr[at]gwu[dot]edu).
Thank you for your continued commitment to advancing research and for supporting your colleagues and students as we navigate the shutdown and uncertainty in the federal funding landscape.