This document, issued by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on September 29, 2023, outlines the policies and procedures related to assistance awards and contracts in the event of a lapse in federal appropriations. It addresses uncertainties and provides guidance for proposers and recipients, cautioning that NSF’s availability to respond to inquiries will be limited during such a period. Pre-award activities such as proposal submission through Research.gov and Grants.gov will remain technically available, but new funding opportunities, proposal processing, and much of NSF’s routine review and administrative functions will be suspended until appropriations resume. Existing proposal deadlines remain in effect, and submissions will be accepted; however, reviews and decisions may be delayed.
For ongoing awards, recipients may continue work if funds are available and the award period has not expired, but no additional funds can be obligated, and new awards or increments will not be issued. Payment systems, such as the Award Cash Management Service (ACM$), will operate intermittently, and project reporting can continue via Research.gov. Extensions and transfers may be submitted but will not be processed until normal operations resume. For major facility awards and contracts, work may continue only so long as it does not require active NSF oversight and sufficient funds have already been drawn down; limited NSF personnel are designated to address emergencies. Specific instructions are provided for contract management, payment processing, and the handling of excepted personnel and activities. Throughout, the document emphasizes the importance of careful adherence to federal requirements and the minimization of disruption to NSF-supported research and infrastructure.
