Carolina Responds to the Federal Shutdown

Carolina Responds to the Federal Shutdown

November 13, 2025 UPDATE: On November 12, 2025, a spending bill was passed effectively ending the federal government shutdown. We are awaiting guidance from federal agenices on their re-opening plans, and will share links to those directions on this page as soon as they become available.

For other federal matters affecting research operations, please visit our Executive Actions and Federally Sponsored Research website.

UNC Administrative Updates

Federal Agency Updates:

Direction from the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) required agencies to outline actions that will be taken in a shutdown and to describe adjustments if the lapse extends beyond five days. Those plans are linked below by agency.

Information pulled from APLU’s Federal Government Shutdown Resources website on Oct 29, 2025

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Lapse of Funding Plan

U.S. Department of Commerce
Plan for Orderly Shutdown Due to Lapse of Congressional Appropriations

Bureau Details:

U.S. Department of Education

U.S. Department of Energy
Lapse Plan Summary Overview

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Contingency Staffing Plan for Operations in the Absence of Enacted Annual Appropriations

Operating Division Details:

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Procedures Relating to a Lapse in Appropriations

U.S. Department of Interior
U.S. Geological Survey Contingency Plan

U.S. Department of State
Updated Guidance on Operations During a Lapse in Appropriations

U.S. Department of War
Contingency Plan Guidance for Continuation of Operations in the Absence of Appropriations

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Contingency Plan for Shutdown

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

National Endowment for the Humanities
Agency Operations in the Absence of Appropriations

National Science Foundation (NSF)
Plan for Operations During a Lapse in Appropriations

Additional Resources