January 15, 2019

OSPA Closely Monitoring the Partial Government Shutdown

As we move into the fourth week of the government shut down, the Office of Sponsored Programs Administration is continuing to monitor communications from federal agencies and COGR.

Below are the latest updates:

Cash Disbursements: OSPA will continue to invoice federal agencies in accordance with award requirements. The US Department of Health and Human Services (including National Institutes of Health) and US Department of Education (including student financial aid programs) are allowing for cash draws at this time, so the university is able to obtain cash reimbursement from those sponsors in accordance with our normal disbursement schedule. Other agencies, such as the National Science Foundation, are not allowing for cash draws. However, unless directed otherwise by a federal agency, work and spending under existing sponsored awards may continue. OSPA will continue to work with the Controller’s Office and the Treasurer’s Office to assess impacts to the university’s cash position and will communicate any updates to the campus research community.

Areas of Risk:
  • New awards, renewals, supplements, and continuation funding will not be awarded until the shutdown is resolved.
  • Faculty and staff serving on a review panel for an agency that is currently shut down should consider their travel plans. Review panels are cancelled until further notice, and most agencies will not reimburse lost deposits or airfare. 
  • Grant reporting obligations and original deadlines are still in effect. While there may not be personnel at the agencies to review these reports, investigators must adhere to the reporting schedule per their grant awards and submit on time.
  • NSF and other agency proposal submission systems remain operational and most proposal deadlines remain in effect. However, NSF and other closed agencies will not review submitted proposals until the government returns to normal operations.
  • Preaward/Advance Accounts may be requested from OSPA, but investigators, chairs, deans, and fiscal staff are advised that there is additional risk in spending funds prior to the receipt of an award from the sponsor, a risk which is elevated during the shutdown. During this time, OSPA is unable to confirm potential start dates nor conduct any negotiations to ensure that expenses incurred prior to the receipt of an award are allowable (and thus are able to be reimbursed by the federal government), therefore preaward/advance account requests should be made only after risks have been carefully evaluated at the department/division level and discussed with OSPA.