During a government shutdown, agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) generally pause new grant awards, proposal reviews, and program launches. Institutions with existing federal research awards may still be able to draw down previously obligated funds, but technical assistance, progress reviews, and application processing are typically suspended.
According to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), most federal research staff and grant managers are classified as nonessential and furloughed, resulting in delays that can extend well beyond the shutdown itself. Past shutdowns have led to cancellations of reserved time on national lab instruments, closures of field research sites on federal lands, etc.
The impact on undergraduate research is not yet clear, but students applying for NSF, NIH or other federally supported programs might experience delays in response times to email and program timelines might change. UROP advises students involved in projects to stay in communication with project mentors and be attentive to program websites for updates.
CU Boulder’s administration is working to minimize disruptions to research and other grant-supported activities. In the unlikely event that students with UROP funding experience changes in their ability to accomplish project goals, such as the availability of mentors and/or resources, UROP will not withdraw previously awarded funding.
Transfer
We welcome transfer students to explore and engage with the understanding that a shorter timeline presents unique challenges. In addition to the action items below, we recommend connecting with your academic communities (college, department, program, etc.) to learn about opportunities and stay on top of application deadlines.
UROP maintains an active presence on LinkedIn and Bluesky. We invite everyone to join our LinkedIn Group, follow our Bluesky feed and engage with the vibrant community on social media.
Depending on the time of year, students can find a wide range of entry-level “open opportunities” to join funded, team-based projects supervised by CU Boulder researchers & creative practitioners.
This is a virtual workshop series open to prospective students that provides many opportunities to opt-into conversations about experiential learning in Boulder and beyond throughout the year.
CU Boulder's innovative constellation of programs engages undergraduates in research and creative activity while connecting with the academic life of the campus—and beyond!