SUBJECT:

The Impact of a Government Shut-Down on Federally Funded Sponsored Research

Over the past few months, as the federal government worked to resolve its budget issues, funding for continued operations of the federal government required a series of Continuing Resolutions (CR) to avoid a shut-down of the federal government. The next deadline for agreement is April 8, 2011. In the absence of a budget resolution or an extension of the current CR, federal research funding may be at risk for the period of time until a new budget is conferred.

In the unlikely event the CR is not extended and action is taken to shut down operations of the federal government, the Office of Research Affairs will seek to maximize continuity of support for faculty research activities. The following is an initial guide for federally funded contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and subawards:

*Spending may continue if the award has already been received, barring receipt of a Stop Work Notice or other such notification from the sponsor.

*Spending on awards or award modifications not yet received (new, continuing, or renewal) becomes the decision and risk of the PI's department. Advance approvals for specific projects will be considered if endorsed by the applicable Dean, and should be at levels needed to initiate or maintain the project.

*Be aware, award actions that are under negotiation (new, renewal, etc.) and multi-year contracts that end after the expiration of the CR, may be put on hold by the sponsor.

As soon as more information is available, we will communicate immediately to the campus community. In the meantime, if you have any questions regarding specific awards, for General Campus or Health Sciences, please contact Pamela Alexander (pjalexander@ucsd.edu), or for SIO, contact Nancy Wilson (nwilson@ucsd.edu).

Sandra A. Brown Vice Chancellor for Research