Possible Government Shutdown on Oct. 1

We have received questions about the potential impacts of a federal government shutdown on October 1, 2025. While we are hopeful that a shutdown can be avoided, we offer the following  guidance about what we might expect if it isn’t:

• There is a general sense that the longer the shutdown continues the greater the impact will be. If the shutdown is relatively short then it is unlikely that there will be a lasting impact to Wake Forest University.

• Research
  • The most immediate impact will be to government processing services related to research. During a shutdown, new proposals will not be processed, and most grants or peer review activities will be paused.  Similarly, payments and reimbursements for existing grants may be delayed. 
  • On-going research does not need to stop during this period (unless you have received a specific notification from an agency to stop). 
  • In some cases, where personnel are paid directly from a federal grant (such as NSF post docs), there may be a delay in receiving reimbursement from the federal government. 
  • Individuals with questions or concerns about research should contact  Kimberley McAllister ().

• Visa and Immigration
  • For the duration of the shutdown, it is likely that the Department of Labor would close. Prevailing Wage Determinations (PWD), and PERM Labor Certifications needed for H-1B petitions and Permanent Residency filings will not be processed.
  • The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (USCIS), and Customs & Border Protection (CBP) typically do not close (because it is funded by fees, or considered essential), so other types of visas (e.g. F-1, J-1) will likely continue to be processed as normal.
  • Individuals with questions or concerns about research should contact Nathanial Lynch ().

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as these events unfold.  

If you have any questions about the government shutdown, please contact Jimmy Broughton ().  

For more information, COGR has put together this helpful resource, Considerations for a Federal Government Shutdown.