OSP Weekly 09/29/2023
----- Division of Research -----
NSF - IN CASE OF A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
What happens when there is a government shutdown?

NSF has updated their Plan for Operations During a Lapse in Appropriations in the event of a government shutdown on October 1, 2023. The plan can be found here: NSF Shutdown Operation Plan. Here are some answers to potential questions that may arise. Please share this broadly with your colleagues.

  • Will I be able to submit my proposal? Yes, proposals can be submitted through research.gov. All deadlines remain in effect, including October 2 deadline for DRP proposal submissions to SYN, CAT and CSDM-B programs.

  • I ran into a technical issue submitting my proposal. What do I do? The IT Help Desk will be unavailable during the shutdown. Please document your issue and send the full proposal via email to the cognizant Program Director before the submission deadline. They will respond with next steps when the government reopens, and guidance has been issued.

  • Can I submit reviews? Ad hoc reviews can be submitted through FastLane. Reviews submitted as part of a panel cannot be submitted since the Interactive Panel System will be shut down.

  • I am participating in a panel. What should I do? If you are on a virtual panel that is scheduled during the government shutdown, the panel will be rescheduled for a later date. You will be contacted by the program with further instructions when the government reopens. If you are scheduled to attend a panel in-person, your flight will be cancelled. However, you will be responsible for your hotel reservation. Please check the cancellation policies for the hotel. NSF will not reimburse you for hotel cancellation fees. You will be contacted by the program with further instructions when the government reopens.

  • Can I continue working on my NSF award? Per the linked shutdown document, yes, “work may continue on all awards to the extent that doing so will not require federal staff intervention and that funds are available.”
Althea Sheets, Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activities Development Manager, Office of Sponsored Programs, [email protected], 702-895-1880