Jan. 3 update: UTSA provides guidelines during government shutdown

(Jan. 3, 2019) – As the government shutdown continues, here are the latest updates for faculty, staff and students.

Impact on researchers

Aside from a few exceptions (e.g. National Institutes of Health and U.S. Department of Energy), most federal agencies are closed due to the government shutdown. Here are the latest research updates:

Grants Disbursements: Faculty members may continue to spend their grant awards. The UTSA Office of the Vice President for Research, Economic Development, and Knowledge Enterprise (REDKE) will continue to bill agencies as per award requirements. However, supplements and renewals will not be received by the institution. New monies from the federal agencies cannot be awarded.

Pending requests such as approval to re-budget, etc. should be placed on hold and discussed with the appropriate Research Service Center (RSC) director.

Reporting Obligations: Grant reporting obligations and original deadlines are still in effect. While there may be no one at the agencies to review these reports, principal investigators must adhere to the reporting schedule per their grant awards and submit on time.

Notice of Award: UTSA faculty and staff who received a Notice of Award (NOA) should continue with their project and research without interruption. However, government staff will be unable to assist or help with any questions or issues. Faculty and staff who receive official notices directly from any federal agencies should contact their RSC.

Review Panels: Faculty and staff serving on a review panel for an agency that is currently shut down should consider cancelling their travel plans. Review panels are cancelled until further notice. Note: Most agencies will not reimburse lost deposits or airfare. 

>> Information about the government shutdown for NSF Panelists.

New Grant Submissions: Opportunities through Research.gov, NSF Fastlane and Grants.gov with posted deadlines are still in effect although submissions will not be processed until agency operations resume. Agency personnel cannot answer questions about grant submissions.

Internal Grant Activities: Faculty should continue with internal grant activities and are encouraged to apply for new funding as planned. Research Service Centers (RSC) are open and available to assist with grants proposals, awards and queries as usual.

Impact on students receiving federal financial aid

Federal Financial Aid programs and operations are funded through the federal fiscal year (September 2019). There should be no issues with processing and receiving federal aid during the government shutdown.

Impact on veterans

Seventy five percent of government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), have been fully funded until September 2019.  The government shutdown should not have a major effect on the VA business line. VA employees will work as scheduled and the federal funding programs for UTSA students will continue to be processed.

UTSA Today will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates to the university community as they become available.

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Learn more about the impact on researchers during the federal government shutdown.

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