Government Shutdown and Federal Grants: What You Can Do

Your TL;DR: A government shutdown may slow or pause federal grant activity. You can’t control that, but you can control your preparation. Know what’s already funded, keep good records, and stay in touch with your grant officer to avoid delays.

When the federal government shuts down, some grant programs pause. You can’t stop that, but you can prepare so your work stays on track. Here are simple steps for both applicants and recipients.

If You Are Applying for a Grant

  • Watch deadlines: Check Grants.gov and the agency’s website for any updates or deadline changes.
  • Keep a copy: Save a dated copy of your full application and confirmation of submission.
  • Stay flexible: Expect reviews or award notices to take longer than usual.
  • Ask questions early: If the deadline is approaching, reach out to your program officer before the shutdown.

If You Already Have a Grant

  • Know what’s funded: Look at your award. Money already committed to your grant can typically continue to flow, but double-check just to be safe.
  • Track your costs: Record any delays or additional expenses incurred due to the shutdown. This helps if you need an extension later.
  • Keep in touch: Email your grant officer or program contact as soon as they return to work.
  • Adjust your plan: Shift timelines or tasks that depend on agency approval.
  • Support your team: Inform your staff or partners about what to expect, so no one is caught off guard by delays.

Why This Matters

If you take no action, your project might stall, deadlines could be missed, and you may lose valuable time. If you plan ahead, keep records, and stay flexible, you’ll be ready to restart quickly once agencies reopen.

You can’t control a government shutdown. You can control how ready you are. The more prepared you are, the smoother your project or application will move once things reopen.

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We assist our clients in locating, applying for, and evaluating the outcomes of non-dilutive grant funding. We believe non-dilutive funding is a crucial tool for mitigating investment risks, and we are dedicated to guiding our clients through the entire process—from identifying the most suitable opportunities to submitting and managing grant applications.