The longest US shutdown is finally over, and as of November 12th, both the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are back to business. Both NIH and NSF are now operating under a continuing resolution that runs until January 30, 2026.
While this restart is positive news for applicants, there are some important updates you need to know, especially regarding the SBIR/STTR programs and delays.
SBIR/STTR Program Expired
The legislative authority for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs expired on October 1, 2025, and is pending reauthorization. Some agencies may still accept applications and award projects under active solicitations, but all new funding opportunities are frozen until Congress reauthorizes the program. In fact, NIH has recently announced early expiration of SBIR/STTR funding opportunities as a result. While the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5100, a simple, 1-year extension of SBIR/STTR through September 30, 2026, with no programmatic changes; competing proposals are blocking it from reaching consensus in the Senate.
NIH: Post-Shutdown Delays and SBIR/STTR Continuation
If you’re dealing with NIH, the main takeaways are:
- Review Panel Delays: Expect a wait! The review panel meetings that were scheduled during the shutdown are being rescheduled for January. This means you should anticipate delays in receiving the results for any September 2025 submissions.
- Current Projects are Safe (Mostly): Active SBIR and STTR projects can continue. However, NIH will not issue noncompeting continuation awards for existing projects until the SBIR/STTR program is reauthorized.
NSF: Back on a Continuing Resolution
The immediate priority of NSF is restoring their capacity to issue awards and manage existing ones.
For Proposal Submitters
- Pitch Reviews are Back: Project pitch review has officially resumed. We’ve already seen the first pitch acceptances after the agency reopened!
- Submissions are Valid: Proposals submitted during the shutdown remain valid and will be processed in order of receipt.
- Priority and Processing: Some delays in processing new awards are expected. Priority is being given to awards supporting time-sensitive research, student/trainee funding, and projects with critical field or seasonal components.
For Grantees (Existing Awards)
- Funds Access: The Award Cash Management Service (ACM$) remained operational during the lapse. Institutions can continue to draw down funds, and expenditures incurred during the shutdown that are allowable under your award terms are reimbursable.
- No-Cost Extensions (NCE): If your award expired during the shutdown period, you must request an NCE through Research.gov. Crucially, the “Grantee Approved No-Cost Extension” option won’t be available if your request is late. You’ll need to request an “NSF Approved No-Cost Extension” and you must provide the information about the lapse in appropriations in the “Explanation for Late Request” section. Extensions will be reviewed case-by-case.