Shutdown Contingency Plans for Federal Grantmaking Agencies
October 3, 2025
Government shutdowns create uncertainty for applicants, awardees, and federal agencies alike. To help organizations navigate these disruptions, we’ve compiled contingency plans from federal grantmaking agencies in one accessible resource. To learn more about the effects of a shutdown and our recommendations for federal funding applicants and awardees, read this article.
Office of Management and Budget: Frequently Asked Questions During a Lapse in Appropriations
Department of Agriculture: Lapse of Funding Plan
Department of Commerce: Plan for Orderly Shutdown Due to Lapse of Congressional Appropriations
Department of Defense (AKA Department of War): Contingency Plan Guidance for Continuation Of Operations In The Absence Of Available Appropriations
Environmental Protection Agency: Contingency Plan for Shutdown
Department of Education: Contingency Plan for Lapse in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Appropriations
Department of Energy: Lapse Plan Summary Overview
Department of Health and Human Services: Contingency Staffing Plan for Operations in the Absence of Enacted Annual Appropriations
Department of Homeland Security: Procedures Relating to a Lapse in Appropriations
Department of Housing and Urban Development: Contingency Plan for Possible Lapse in Appropriations 2025
Department of the Interior: Operations in the Absence of Appropriations
Department of Labor: Plan for the Continuation of Limited Activities During a Lapse in Appropriations
National Science Foundation: Assistance and Contract-Related Policy and Systems Issues During a Lapse in Appropriations
Department of State: Guidance on Operations During a Lapse in Appropriations
Small Business Administration: Plan for Operating in the Event of a Lapse in Appropriations
Department of Transportation: Plans for Operations During a Lapse in Annual Appropriations By Operating Administration
Department of the Treasury: Lapse in Appropriations Contingency Plan for Departmental Offices
Department of Veterans Affairs: Agency Operations in the Absence of Appropriations
