January 30, 2026
Federal Shutdown News & Updates – 2026
Partial Federal Government Shutdown Likely
1/30/2026: Sent to all active PIs & MRAM.
The Offices of Research and Finance, Planning and Budgeting are closely monitoring the likelihood of a partial federal government shutdown after midnight tonight, 1/30/2026.
While the government has approved funding to some agencies, other key funders of UW sponsored programs have not yet been funded. We expect this will be brief and are hopeful the federal government will resolve the situation quickly.
While the University of Washington has liquidity to navigate a short term shutdown, a shutdown at this time coupled with continued federal policy volatility could present a range of outcomes that may differ from previous federal shutdowns we’ve experienced. UW leadership is preparing for a variety of scenarios.
What to expect during a partial shutdown:
- Federal agency staff will not be available for approvals, support or administrative functions.
- At this time, there is uncertainty as to whether impacted federal agencies will pause active federal grant and contract activities.
- Impacted federal sponsors may or may not decide to suspend application submissions. Please check for announcements on agency websites.
- Study sections, review panels, site visits and other review activities will likely be cancelled or postponed.
- If a stop work order is issued on an award, please review GCA’s Executive Branch Actions guidance.
- In the event a sponsor’s financial reporting system is temporarily unavailable, GCA will submit all impacted financial reports as soon as the system is restored and operational.
- Impacted federal agencies may temporarily stop making payments.
- Expect delays, lack of communication and lack of support from impacted federal agencies.
We will continue to provide more information and guidance relative to the shutdown and sponsored programs via MRAM and the UW Office of Research Federal Shutdown 2026 News & Updates, as it becomes available.