As of October 1, 2025, the federal government has entered a shutdown due to a lapse in appropriations. Temple University’s research activities will continue unless you receive specific stop-work instructions from a federal agency. This page will provide updates relevant to Temple’s research community as they become available.
Memo published October 1, 2025, via Temple Research Listserv
MEMORANDUM
To: All Faculty and Staff Subscribed to the Research Listserv
From: Josh Gladden, PhD, Vice President for Research
Date: October 1, 2025
Subject: Research Guidance During the Federal Government Shutdown
Dear Colleagues,
As you are likely aware, as of October 1, 2025, the federal government has entered a shutdown due to a lapse in appropriations. The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) is monitoring the situation closely, assessing potential implications for Temple's research enterprise, and will provide updates as needed. At this time, all research activities continue unless you receive specific stop-work instructions from a sponsor.
What This Means Now
Active grants in their current period of performance: In many cases, research and allowable spending may continue unless your sponsor issues a stop-work order. If you do receive a stop-work order, please immediately forward to [click-for-email] in OVPR. Plan for slower reimbursements and cash draws.
Contracts: If your federal contracting officer issues a formal stop-work order, you must pause work and stop charging salaries and expenses to that contract until the order is lifted. Immediately notify [click-for-email] in OVPR.
Proposals and submissions: Many electronic portals (for example, Grants.gov, Research.gov, NIH eRA Commons, NSF systems) may accept submissions, but agency staff will not provide help or process applications until operations resume. Follow any posted due-date guidance in the portal; if a deadline falls during the shutdown, submit if the system allows and keep documentation.
Grants awaiting review or agency action: Peer review meetings and award decisions would likely be delayed. RPPR review and approval for non-competing continuations may also pause.
Advance accounts and non-competing continuations: Advance accounts can be established where appropriate, but pre-award spending remains at institutional risk and must comply with sponsor and Temple rules.
Federal collaborators and trainees: Collaborations with federal employees may pause if those individuals are furloughed. Federally funded travel by federal personnel may be restricted. Non-federal Temple personnel should follow sponsor and university travel guidance tied to their funding.
Subawards and consortia: If Temple is a subrecipient on a federal award, coordinate with the prime institution on any guidance they have regarding the award. If Temple is the prime and your subrecipients are affected, maintain communication and document impacts.
Immediate Actions for PIs and Administrators
Continue project work if allowed, monitor budgets carefully, and avoid new non-essential commitments on affected awards.
Do not work on a federal contract that has received a stop-work order.
Submit proposals and reports if systems are open; keep screenshots and time stamps.
Notify your research administrator if you receive stop-work or other sponsor instructions, or if a critical deadline is affected.
Document any project impacts to help with sponsor communications after operations resume.
OVPR Support and Updates
OVPR will continue to provide timely updates at research.temple.edu/shutdown. If you have questions, please contact Dennis Paffrath, AVP for Research Administration at dennis.paffrath@temple.edu.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we navigate this period together. We will share updates as relevant information becomes available.