The U.S. federal government has entered a shutdown as of October 1, after lawmakers failed to reach a spending agreement. Georgia Institute of Technology officials report that the immediate impact on campus operations is expected to be minimal due to financial planning and preparation.
A Georgia Tech working group has been assessing potential effects of the shutdown and developing mitigation strategies to maintain business continuity while Congress continues negotiations. Kim Toatley, vice president for Finance and Planning and chief financial officer at Georgia Tech, said, “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 for research at Georgia Tech amounts to more than $100 million each month from U.S. government programs. If the shutdown lasts beyond several weeks, university leaders say they may implement measures such as conserving reserves, requiring Cabinet-level approval for certain purchases or hiring decisions, restricting non-essential travel, and slowing select research activities.
Ongoing grants and contracts will continue but support from federal sponsors could be limited during the shutdown period. New grant applications will not move forward and new awards are unlikely until normal operations resume. The university plans to continue submitting invoices and requesting funds where possible; however, payments from sponsors will likely face delays.
Georgia Tech remains committed to minimizing any impact on students, faculty, and staff as conditions evolve. Researchers seeking more information can consult Georgia Tech’s guidance at https://osp.gatech.edu/federal-government-shutdown-guidance.
The university’s working group is monitoring developments closely and will provide updates as needed.
