The 2025 Government Shutdown: What makes it different, and what are its implications for the future of scientific research?

On October 1st, the government entered its first shutdown since 2019, with no clear end in sight. However, this shutdown is unlike any other: major reductions in force (RIFs) have swept through federal institutions, raising concerns that science could extend well beyond the short-term. This shutdown, the latest of twenty since 1976, is a result of Congress failing to agree on a budget bill for the upcoming year.

ASIU’s previous work, “The Federal Budget for FY2026: How does it work, and how is it changing?”, summarizes important information from recent budget bills that impact science, providing necessary context on the events presented in this article. Reviewing that article first is recommended for a more complete understanding of the topic.

The Current Situation

Since the beginning of the government shutdown, many federally funded activities deemed “non-essential” have reduced their operations. This is most apparent to the public in the closures of the Smithsonian Museums and National Parks; however, nearly all government institutions have been impacted, resulting in the furloughing of significant numbers of federal employees: 75%, 54%, and 83% of the NSF, NOAA, and NASA, respectively.

What ultimately distinguishes this shutdown from those in the past is the reductions in force (RIFs) — essentially layoffs — now being imposed on federal employees. In addition to furloughing non-essential workers, employees working on projects that are not “consistent with the President’s Priorities” are encouraged to be laid off by their respective agencies, as stated by the White House Office of Management and Budget.

Approximately 1,300 employees working in the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had received RIF notices following the shutdown, with 700 notices later being rescinded after it was determined that these layoffs would “undermine the nation’s ability to respond to public health emergencies,” one CDC employee commented at a news conference. Potential layoffs within the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) are also of particular concern — the program’s gold-standard public health surveys have provided important insights into the health of Americans, including previous studies on the health effects of lead in gasoline.

Two days into the shutdown, the Department of Energy also announced the defunding of 223 energy projects, amounting to a renewable energy support cut of nearly 7.6 billion US dollars.

These effects extend to extramural grant funding: at the NIH and NSF, 40 review panels across multiple disciplines which had originally been scheduled for October have been put on hold, significantly delaying the grant awardment process. Although new grants can’t be awarded by the NIH or NSF, employees may continue research on existing grants.

Two unions, the American Federation of Government Employees and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, have filed lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s RIFs, citing the mass firings as an unlawful attempt to punish workers and pressure Congress during the shutdown.

Looking Forward

While the government shutdown is seemingly a short-term, resolvable issue, there may be substantial consequences to scientific research in the long term.

While the government guarantees back pay to “essential” employees upon the end of a government shutdown, many government contractors — who aren’t directly employed by the government — remain worried, as they aren’t always compensated for their losses. Following the 35-day 2019 government shutdown, which cost the US nearly $5 billion, many were forced to take out loans or dip into savings to continue funding contractor-run research centers, adding further strain to an already difficult time.

While efforts have been taken to mitigate this issue via the Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Acts of 2019 and 2023, the bills went nowhere. The act was reintroduced in 2025 and would be a critical piece of legislation that could address the lack of back pay for some federal contract workers.

The layoffs also raise another large concern: the potential loss of institutional knowledge due to program closures at institutions like the CDC, NIH, and NSF, and among research labs relying on federal grant support. The Georgia Institute of Technology said that it will need to halt hiring and begin cost-saving measures if the shutdown exceeds 20 days. Meanwhile, some research groups are worried they’d be forced to lay off staff and close their labs if funding continues to be delayed.

With Congress remaining at a standstill, it’s unclear how soon an agreement will be made on the budget, allowing the government to reopen. Until then, the political and scientific landscapes may remain volatile and uncertain.

References

Ahart, Jenna, et al. “Government Shutdown Leaves Scientists in Limbo.” Scientific American, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-the-government-shutdown-is-impacting-science-and-research/. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

“Federal Science on Pause Amid Shutdown.” AIP, 1 Oct. 2025, https://www.aip.org/fyi/federal-science-on-pause-amid-shutdown.

Garisto, Dan. “This US Government Shutdown Is Different: What It Means for Science.” Nature, Oct. 2025. www.nature.com, https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-025-03192-4.

Gerton, Terry. Shutdown News for Federal Contractors: A New Bill and a New Rule. 14 Oct. 2025, https://federalnewsnetwork.com/contracting/2025/10/shutdown-news-for-federal-contractors-a-new-bill-and-a-new-rule/.

Heckman, Jory. GSA Begins ‘Phased’ Furloughs, but Guarantees Back Pay Once Shutdown Ends. 15 Oct. 2025, https://federalnewsnetwork.com/government-shutdown/2025/10/gsa-begins-phased-furloughs-but-guarantees-back-pay-once-shutdown-ends/.

Kelly, Emre. “Another Government Shutdown Averted, but NASA Contractors Still Hurting from the Last One.” Florida Today, https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2019/02/15/government-shutdown-averted-but-nasa-contractors-still-hurting-last-one/2848315002/. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

Science News Staff. “As U.S. Shutdown Drags on, ‘It’s Just One Blow after Another.’” Science, vol. 390, no. 6770, Oct. 2025, https://www.science.org/content/article/u-s-shutdown-drags-it-s-just-one-blow-after-another.

“Shutdown May Prolong Grant Lawsuits and Reinstatements.” AIP, 7 Oct. 2025, https://www.aip.org/fyi/shutdown-may-prolong-grant-lawsuits-and-reinstatements.

“Trump Administration’s Plan for Mass Firing of Federal Workers During Government Shutdown Violates Law, Unions Say.” American Federation of Government Employees, 20 Sep. 2025, https://www.afge.org/publication/trump-administrations-plan-for-mass-firing-of-federal-workers-during-government-shutdown-violates-law-unions-say/.