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Federal Government Shutdown: Human Research Protection Considerations

October 6, 2025

Michigan State University Sponsored Programs Administration

The Michigan State University Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) webpage provides guidance for managing federally sponsored projects during the federal government shutdown that began October 1, 2025. https://spa.msu.edu/PL/Portal/5636/InformationRelatedtoPotentialGovernmentShutdownForOctober2025

Human Research Protection Program Considerations

In addition, the following processes related to human research protection may be impacted during a federal government shutdown:

  • Certificate of Confidentiality (CoC): CoC applications for non-NIH funded studies are submitted through the online NIH CoC system. Transactions submitted via the NIH website may not be processed.

  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Information on the ClinicalTrials.gov website may not be up to date and transactions submitted through the ClinicalTrials.gov website may not be processed.

  • Communications with federal officials in human research protection offices may be impacted.

  • Please review information about Termination Notices, Stop-Work Orders, Requests or Directions for Change(s) in Terms and/or Scope of Work: Human Research Protection Program Considerations, for additional guidance and considerations that may also be applicable during a federal government shutdown: https://hrpp.msu.edu/news/2025-5-16-grant.html

  • If there are any concerns that participants could be placed at risk, please contact the Institutional Review Board (IRB) office: irb@msu.edu or 517-355-2180

The MSU Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) and MSU IRBs are operating normally, but users may experience delays in the review of new study applications, continuing reviews, modifications, and reports of new information.  These delays are primarily due to challenges associated with the shutdown, such as awaiting Certificates of Confidentiality or the need for additional details from federal officials or grant managers about human research protection procedures.

Because each study and circumstance are unique, the HRPP will help assist researchers on a study specific basis. Please contact the HRPP office with any questions (email: irb@msu.edu or phone: 517-355-2180).

This information will be updated as new information becomes available.