UW–Madison is preparing for the possibility of a federal government shutdown on Friday, March 14. A federal government shutdown may affect university research operations, though its implications depend largely on the length and the corresponding guidance provided by federal agencies.

Chancellor Mnookin and Universities of Wisconsin, along with biohealth industry leaders and university researchers reinforced the importance of NIH funding during a news conference at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. In a letter sent March 5, 34 biohealth companies, health systems, industry associations and research organizations urged Congress to maintain robust NIH funding and oppose significant cuts that jeopardize the critical work the federal agency supports.

On March 6, Attorney General Josh Kaul announced Wisconsin has joined a multistate coalition lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s termination of grant funding for K-12 teacher preparation programs. As the recipient of a five-year Teacher Quality Partnership program grant that was recently terminated, UW–Madison filed a declaration in the suit.

A federal judge on March 5 issued a nationwide preliminary injunction that halts the implementation of a 15% indirect cost rate on NIH grants and contracts. The injunction, which replaces the temporary restraining order on the cuts placed last month, will likely remain in place until the judge hears full arguments in three lawsuits brought forward by 22 state attorneys general, associations, and organizations representing institutions of higher education.

On Feb. 28, Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin and Provost Charles Isbell Jr. sent a message to all students, faculty and staff to provide some updates on recent activity at the federal level and the ways they, along with other UW–Madison leaders continue to assess the implications of these actions and respond across multiple levels.

On Feb. 27 Dean William J. Karpus sent a message to graduate students, with graduate program contacts copied, to reaffirm the university’s commitment to supporting current graduate students, amid the national uncertainty of the extramural funding landscape.

On Feb. 26, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) passed an action item supporting continued funding for the four national Dairy Business Innovation Centers, including the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA), which is a partnership between the Center for Dairy Research and the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association that is housed at UW–Madison.

On Feb. 18, the Association of American Universities, Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities and Council on Government Relations submitted a letter to the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Office of Management and Budget expressing concerns about recent disruptions to federally funded research in the U.S

Several media outlets are reporting that federal employees, including some agencies that the university works with closely, have been receiving notice of layoffs. The Office of Federal Relations is continuing to monitor these and other developments and the potential impact on UW-Madison operations.

As uncertainty continues around the emerging federal landscape and another election season nears, UW–Madison employees should be mindful of political activity and public advocacy guidelines.