University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Chancellor Anthony Graham shared an open letter with faculty and staff in response to the potential federal government shutdown.
If Congress does not agree to extend government funding by midnight Wednesday, when Fiscal Year 2026 begins, a shutdown is expected to occur. Graham wrote in the letter, which was posted on UAPBnews.wordpress.com, that UAPB is closely monitoring the situation and “is working to minimize disruption to our research and campus community.”
Graham stated UAPB has been “actively” reviewing operational guidance from the University of Arkansas System Office and “relevant federal agencies.”
“Our goal is to ensure compliance with all state and federal requirements while minimizing disruption to university operations and personnel,” Graham wrote. “Campus units are being asked to evaluate all positions supported by federal funding and to prepare contingency plans where possible.”
Graham listed key impacts of a shutdown on research and grants:
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“Federal agencies will be unable to issue new grants, contracts or funding increments during a shutdown. This will likely cause delays in reviews and announcements for proposals already submitted.
“Online systems like Grants.gov, Research.gov, and NIH eRA Commons may have limited functionality or be inaccessible.
“Most federal agency program officers and grants management staff will be furloughed and unavailable. Please do not expect timely responses to inquiries during this time.
“Reporting deadlines for active awards generally remain in effect, even if agency staff are not available to receive them.”
Employees who are fully funded by federal sources, Graham said, would be required to suspend work activities and be furloughed until federal funding is reinstated or further guidance. UAPB is not permitted to either use state funds to support the positions temporarily or draw down federal funds in advance.
Those who are partially funded by federal sources may continue to work and be compensated through available non-federal funds as long as the funding is budgeted and available for the rest of the fiscal year, Graham added.
Title III, TRIO and Federal Work-Study programs have already received drawdowns for the current academic term, so employees supported by these programs are not expected to be impacted, according to Graham.
“I thank you in advance for your cooperation, preparation and commitment to our mission during this time of fiscal uncertainty,” Graham wrote.