Office Monitoring Shutdown's Effect on Campus Research

Photo Submitted

Jim Rankin, vice provost for research and economic development

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Jim Rankin, vice provost of research and economic development at the University of Arkansas, has posted important news on his office’s website related to the shutdown of the federal government, which took effect at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1.

“The impact of the shutdown on University of Arkansas research and researchers will be very dependent on its duration,” Rankin said. “Our office is monitoring the situation closely and we will be updating the website as information becomes available.”

Agency announcements from the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation and NASA, in addition to policy guidance from the federal office of management and budget, can be found at vpred.uark.edu.

Rankin said no new federal grants will be issued during the shutdown and federal agencies will not be paying invoices related to research grants during the shutdown.

Kathy Scheibel, interim director of the university office of research and sponsored programs, said federal agencies are not accepting proposals during the shutdown, but her office will remain open and will continue to work with campus researchers on their proposals.

Faculty and staff members who have federal research funds remaining are allowed to continue their research while funds exist, he said. But once those funds have been exhausted, the researcher will need approval from their respective department chairs and deans to continue expenditures just as they would if there was not a shutdown.

If a federal employee or federal facility is involved in the research, that employee or facility will not be available during the shutdown. Also, researchers might anticipate limited response when contacting a federal agency due to the number of furloughs that are issued.