Hello everyone,
Please see the update below from STScI.
Thanks,
Justin
From: STScI Grants Administration on Behalf of Jennifer Lotz <gms_mail@stsci.edu>
Sent: Friday, November 7, 2025 10:47 AM
To: Justin Marmolejo <Justin.Marmolejo@utsa.edu>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] HST - Delays in Funding and Research Awards During Government Shutdown
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**EXTERNAL EMAIL** |
November 7, 2025
Subject: HST – Delays in Funding and Research Awards During Government Shutdown
Dear HST Community:
We are writing to provide important information regarding the impact of the ongoing federal government shutdown on HST research award funding and payments.
Due to the government shutdown, NASA has paused new HST GO/AR funding allotments to STScI since September 11, 2025. As stipulated in the Terms and Conditions of all awards, funding for HST programs is contingent upon the availability of funds from NASA.
At this time, all funding has been fully exhausted. We anticipate that NASA will not be able to provide additional funding for HST GO/AR allotments until the government re-opens.
Funding
Until STScI receives additional funding, the following actions are paused, effective immediately:
- Issuance of new research awards
- Early releases of incremental funding
In addition, STScI will be carefully reviewing future releases of incremental funding.
We recognize that delays in receiving expected funding may affect the timing of research activities, the ability to support staff, postdoctoral researchers, and students, and the overall progress of active projects. Where possible, please consider developing
contingency plans to maintain continuity of research programs and minimize disruption to personnel and work.
Payments
STScI continues to facilitate the processing of reimbursement requests in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable award. Reimbursements up to the currently obligated amount will be processed contingent upon completed drawdowns from NASA’s
payment management system.
Recipients are advised to closely monitor their currently obligated balances. Expenses in excess of the currently obligated amounts should not be incurred until AFTER additional funds have been formally obligated and communicated through an official amendment
to the award. Any expenditures incurred beyond the currently obligated funding level are made at the recipient institution’s own risk and are not eligible for reimbursement.
Duration
STScI intends to resume releasing funding for HST research awards as soon as NASA receives and allocates additional funding allotments. If possible, STScI will act to restore de-obligated funds when additional funding is available.
STScI will provide further updates to the community once the shutdown is resolved and new information becomes available.
We regret any inconvenience this may cause and greatly appreciate your continued understanding as we manage HST-supported research projects through this extended shutdown.
Please direct any questions to STScI Grants Administration at
gms_mail@stsci.edu or (410) 338-4200.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Lotz
Director
Distribution: Grant Administrative PIs, Grant Science PIs, Authorizing Officials, Certifying Officials
Please share this with your Sponsored Research Office and any additional recipients as appropriate.