Colleges and research universities are tightening operations and conserving cash as the federal government shutdown moves into its fourth week. Institutions including Georgia Tech and Ohio University announced spending freezes, centralized emergency research pools and limits on nonessential purchases to preserve payroll and sustain funded projects. Campus leaders warn that prolonged funding lapses will stall new grants, disrupt research timelines and force long-term cash-management changes. The Education Department’s reduced staffing and furloughs have slowed technical assistance, delayed new award processing and stalled federal grant payments. Research offices say they can bridge short gaps by reallocating institutional funds, but prolonged interruptions risk contract noncompliance and lost indirect-cost revenue. Advocacy groups and university associations are tracking agencies’ contingency plans for research continuity. Administrators also flagged student services that depend on federal support—such as TRIO programs and certain loan servicing operations—as vulnerable if the impasse continues. With no near-term resolution, campuses said they are prioritizing payroll and critical student-facing operations while warning trustees and state funders about possible budget stress.