The U.S. federal government entered a shutdown on October 1 after lawmakers failed to reach a spending agreement. Georgia Institute of Technology officials said they do not expect significant immediate impacts on campus operations due to prior financial planning.
Kim Toatley, vice president for Finance and Planning and chief financial officer at Georgia Tech, stated, “Georgia Tech has successfully navigated these situations in the past, and we are modeling scenarios on how the shutdown may affect cash flow and campus operations over time. While we are hopeful that an agreement will be reached soon, we are working to adapt our financial planning and activities to this fluid situation.”
Federal funding accounts for more than $100 million per month in research support at Georgia Tech. If the shutdown continues for several weeks, the university plans to implement measures such as conserving reserves, requiring Cabinet-level approval for certain expenditures including hiring and non-essential travel, and slowing some research projects.
Ongoing grants and contracts will continue during the shutdown, but additional support from federal sponsors may be limited. New grant applications will be paused, with no new awards expected until government operations resume. Invoices and cash requests will still be submitted as possible; however, payment delays from sponsors are anticipated. The institute emphasized its commitment to minimizing effects on students, faculty, and staff.
Georgia Tech researchers can find updated guidance at osp.gatech.edu/federal-government-shutdown-guidance.
A working group is monitoring developments closely and will provide further updates as needed.
