How Might the Federal Government Shutdown Affect BU?
United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. Photo via AP/J. Scott Applewhite
How Might the Federal Government Shutdown Affect BU?
Student aid will continue and researchers should work on existing grants, but new awards might be delayed
At 12:01 am Wednesday, October 1, the federal government went into shutdown mode, after Congressional leaders failed to agree on a spending deal to fund government operations and services. What will this mean for Boston University students, faculty, and staff and for other institutions of higher education?
It’s the first time the government has shuttered its doors since December 2018, when President Trump and Congress took 35 days to agree to a deal to fund the government—that was the longest shutdown in US history. While many previous shutdowns have lasted just a handful of days (sometimes merely hours), many are predicting the current impasse will be tough to break.
During a government shutdown, most federal workers are placed on unpaid leave, while essential workers—like those in the armed forces—stay on the job, but may have to wait for their paychecks. The shutdown could also lead to the closing of national parks and museums, as well as delays in the provision of programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Social Security and Medicare benefits are unlikely to be altered. Other impacts, including to Head Start services and to travel, may depend on the length of the shutdown.
Higher education isn’t exempt. About half of all academic research in the United States is funded by the federal government—and although work can continue on existing grants, the deadlock means there won’t be anyone on hand to review project proposals, extend and make new awards, or offer grant program advice. Even when the impasse ends, the effects will not. As federal workers return to work, they’ll likely face a deluge of emails and requests, creating a significant backlog.
According to Jennifer Grodsky, BU’s vice president for federal relations, her team is in close touch with Massachusetts elected officials. “We will let them know how the shutdown impacts our students, faculty, and staff,” she says, “and we will share what we know with the BU community via the University’s Federal Actions website and the Federal Relations website and newsletter.”
In collaboration with BU Federal Relations and BU’s Office of Research, BU Today has put together a list of questions and answers to help the Boston University community understand the potential impact of the shutdown.
What does a shutdown mean for students who use federal student aid?
According to the Department of Education: “The Department will continue to disburse student aid such as Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student loans, and student loan borrowers will still be required to make payments on their outstanding student debt.”
What does a shutdown mean for researchers with current or pending federal grants? What should you do if you are working on a grant?
Investigators should check the Office of Research 2025 Administration Transition Information website for the most up-to-date guidelines. Federally funded researchers should continue to work on their grants and contracts unless their agency or program officer has advised them otherwise.
What does the shutdown mean for investigators who are submitting proposals for federally sponsored research?
“Faculty should continue to submit proposals in accordance with posted guidelines,” says Kenneth Lutchen, BU vice president and associate provost for research. “But be aware that a government shutdown may delay award announcements and the launch of new grant programs. The grant review process will also be affected.”
Lutchen says the University will continue to monitor the federal landscape and share updates as new information becomes available.
Will the shutdown delay deadlines for a grant proposal?
According to BU Sponsored Programs: “Faculty waiting on award announcements for already submitted proposals should know that a government shutdown may lead to delays in award announcements. Past government shutdowns have led to delays of several weeks to months due to the backlog of work at federal agencies and the difficulty of rescheduling review panels once the government reopens. Similarly, expected new grant programs will be delayed as the federal government is not allowed to establish new grant programs during a government shutdown.”
Is there anything that international visitors or US citizens traveling abroad should know?
According to the State Department, “Consular operations domestically and abroad will remain operational. This includes passports, visas, and assisting US citizens abroad. All US embassies and consulates abroad will be operational for national security reasons.”
Will the shutdown affect BU faculty and staff at all?
Possibly, yes. Any staff or faculty who planned to travel to Washington, D.C., to meet with federal officials should confirm whether their federal contact will be available to meet. Most likely, federal agency staff won’t be working during a shutdown. And along the same lines, if a faculty or staff member has invited a federal official to visit BU, it’s likely the meetup will be rescheduled.