During a government shutdown, agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) generally pause new grant awards, proposal reviews, and program launches. Institutions with existing federal research awards may still be able to draw down previously obligated funds, but technical assistance, progress reviews, and application processing are typically suspended.

According to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), most federal research staff and grant managers are classified as nonessential and furloughed, resulting in delays that can extend well beyond the shutdown itself. Past shutdowns have led to cancellations of reserved time on national lab instruments, closures of field research sites on federal lands, etc.

The impact on undergraduate research is not yet clear, but students applying for NSF, NIH or other federally supported programs might experience delays in response times to email and program timelines might change. UROP advises students involved in projects to stay in communication with project mentors and be attentive to program websites for updates.

Âé¶¹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder’s administration is working to minimize disruptions to research and other grant-supported activities. In the unlikely event that students with UROP funding experience changes in their ability to accomplish project goals, such as the availability of mentors and/or resources, UROP will not withdraw previously awarded funding.
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All Timelines

Student Grants

Timelines for Assistantships & Individual Grants

April 25, 2025 - Grant Acceptance Due
May 2, 2025 - Personal Information (PI) Due
May 10-16, 2025 - Direct Deposit Setup Window
May 30, 2025 - Stipend Pay Date
August 15, 2025 - Final Survey Due
August 29, 2025 - Mentor's Final Survey Due

April 25, 2025 - Grant Acceptance Form Due
May 2, 2025 - Personal Information (PI) Form Due
September 13-17, 2025 - Direct Deposit Setup Window
September 30, 2025 - Stipend Pay Date

For Fall Graduates

Nov. 21, 2025 - Final Survey Due
Nov. 28, 2025 - Mentor's Survey Due

All Other Recipients

April 10, 2026 - Final Survey Due
April 17, 2026 - Mentor's Survey Due

The next deadline will be February 13, 2026 and will award proposals in Summer 2026 and Academic Year 2026-27.

Timelines for Individual Travel Grants

Personal Information (PI) Form Due

September 5, 2025

Direct Deposit Window

September 13-17, 2025

Personal Information (PI) Form Due

October 3, 2025

Direct Deposit Window

October 11-20, 2025

Personal Information (PI) Form Due

October 31, 2025

Direct Deposit Window

November 8-16, 2025

We don't issue payments in December to give finance teams time for end-of-year tasks. Plan accordingly.

Personal Information (PI) Form Due

January 2, 2026

Direct Deposit Window

January 10-18, 2026

Personal Information (PI) Form Due

January 30, 2026

Direct Deposit Window

February 7-14, 2026

Personal Information (PI) Form Due

February 27, 2026

Direct Deposit Window

March 14-18, 2026

Personal Information (PI) Form Due

March 27, 2026

Direct Deposit Window

April 11-19, 2026

Personal Information (PI) Form Due

May 1, 2026

Direct Deposit Window

May 9-17, 2026

We don't issue payments in June to give finance teams time for end-of-fiscal-year tasks. Plan accordingly.

Faculty Grants

Timelines for Team Grants

April 25, 2025 - Grant Acceptance Due
May 12-23, 2025 - Transfer Window
August 15, 2025 - Team Mentor's Final Survey Due
August 29, 2025 - Team Member's Final Survey Due
August 20, 2025 - Grant End Date

April 25, 2025 - Grant Acceptance Due
August 25-29, 2025- Transfer Window
April 10, 2026 - Team Mentor's Final Survey Due
April 24, 2026 - Team Member's Final Survey Due
May 1, 2026 - Grant End Date

The next deadline will be February 13, 2026 and will award proposals in Summer 2026 and Academic Year 2026-27.

Timelines for Group Travel Grants

We transfer Group Travel funds as soon as possible after awards are issued, but the exact transfer date depends on the availability of our finance team.

Other Dates & Deadlines

Sidewalk Symposium

October 10, 2025


will be held Oct. 10, 2025, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Visual Arts Complex (VAC) Plaza—during Research & Innovation Week.

In the event of inclement weather, this event will move to the Âé¶¹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØArt Museum's Education Room and the start will be delayed to 10:00 am; participants will receive an email alert if the status changes.

UROP Applications

February 13, 2026


The next deadline for student and faculty grants will be February 13, 2026 (for proposals in Summer 2026 and Aca. Year 2026-27).

UROP Review

March 6, 2026


The next cycle will score proposals for Summer 2026 and Aca. Year 2026-27. Sign up to review by March 6, 2026, to be included in this year's cycle.

Mentor Award

March 27, 2026


UROP Mentor Award nominations are due by 5:00 pm MST on March 27, 2026, and decisions will be sent in April 2026.

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