Dear UCSF Community,

I am writing to share the news that Congress did not meet its deadline last night to pass a budget or continuing resolution for the federal fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. As a result, the federal government has shut down many of its functions and services funded with discretionary appropriations, such as the National Institutes of Health.

The UC Office of the President and UCSF are closely monitoring this situation, and I want to provide you an update on what the shutdown means for our community and how we will manage this challenge. To learn more, visit the UCOP Federal Government Shutdown webpage and the UCSF Office of Sponsored Research’s Federal Government Shutdown - Contingency Plan.

Research and Sponsored Projects

• In the short run, funds that are already awarded will likely not be affected, and activities supported by existing awards should continue. However, no new authorizations or approvals for additional funding will be issued during a shutdown.
• Federal agencies will likely pause proposal reviews and will not process new submissions until operations resume.
• Some federal contracts include stop-work clauses that could be triggered if agencies direct them. UCSF’s Office of Sponsored Research will monitor and advise should this occur.
• Federal staff will likely be unavailable to respond to inquiries, approve extensions, or process requests during a shutdown.
• When the shutdown ends, we should expect additional delays as agencies clear backlogs.

Graduate Students and Trainees

• Most students and postdoctoral scholars supported by UCSF-administered awards should see minimal immediate impact.
• Trainees who receive funding directly from federal agencies could face delays in payment if the shutdown is prolonged. UCSF has a plan to avoid any gap in funding.

UCSF Health

• We do not expect significant disruptions to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements during a shutdown because they are considered mandatory spending under the law.
• However, administrative support, oversight, and the timing of payments may be affected in some limited cases.

We are committed to supporting our UCSF community throughout the duration of the federal government shutdown. As circumstances evolve, we’ll continue to provide updates. In the meantime, thank you for your continued dedication to those who rely on us.

Sincerely,

Sam Hawgood, MBBS
Chancellor
Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock Distinguished Professor