Despite hopes for a quick resolution, this government shutdown, which is so far the third-longest in history, is nearing the close of its third week with no end in sight.
The University is a federally funded institution, and thus could face delays and disruption as the shutdown continues. For example, with regards to research, University Spokesperson Sara Miller told the Campus Times:
“The University’s federally funded research may be delayed or affected due to many federal agency staff being furloughed,” Miller said, “meaning faculty and University leadership will be unable to communicate about grant programs, active awards, or potential proposals.”
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), which funds a substantial percentage of national university research, released guidance on the first day of the shutdown saying that, with some exceptions, universities could continue to draw from previously given awards, but would not be granted new ones.
“With the exception of excepted programs, no NIH grant awards will be processed for the duration of the funding lapse,” the statement said. “For any awards processed before the funding lapse that have an issue date during the funding lapse, the awards will not be sent to the recipient on the issue date.”
Researchers must still submit applications for grants by previously set deadlines, but they will not be processed until the government resumes operations.
Other research grants released similar guidance, emphasizing that almost all grants and grant reviewals are on hold for as long as the government will be.
Highly funded universities such as UR can use their own resources to manage a shorter shutdown, but as the shutdown continues, the University will have to prioritize about what to fund, especially in the wake of potential research funding cuts announced earlier this year.
URMC is also reliant on federal funds, but they do not foresee as large of an impact, according to URMC Director of Communications & Media Strategy Maureen Malone.
“At this time, we anticipate patient care at the Medical Center, including our outpatient clinics and affiliates, to continue without disruption,” Malone said. “Federal payments for patients insured by Medicare and Medicaid are expected to be processed normally.”
URMC has lost federal support for some telehealth services during the shutdown, but is compensating by scheduling affected patients for in-person appointments.
“We are prioritizing convenience in this process and working to ensure every patient continues to receive the high-quality care they need,” Malone said.
Federal student aid should not be affected by the shutdown, as programs are funded a year in advance, and aid was given at the start of the semester.
