In this video message, Grant Engine CEO Sam Tetlow shares how our team is helping innovators, researchers, and technology leaders move forward with confidence during the present government shutdown.
The Current Moment
There’s no shortage of things to be concerned about. Wherever the U.S. government shutdown lands on your list, it’s definitely made the cut. A shutdown adds to the uncertainty, turbulence, and chaos that already exist. The implications feel quite real. What could this mean for the future of federal funding? Will our funding be delayed? Should we hold off on submitting proposals? When will the SBIR/STTR program be re-authorized?
At Grant Engine, we want to make one thing clear: now is not the time to pause. It’s time to plan, and moreover, it’s time to execute. We’re here to help you do exactly that.
Yes, the Shutdown Is Real – But So Is Momentum
While the shutdown has impacted several agencies, including Treasury, Health & Human Services, and Education, the innovation and research landscape remains active. Programs that drive national priorities, from biomedical innovation to national defense, are still moving.
In our experience, government slowdowns do not erase opportunity. They simply shift timelines and open new windows for strategic preparation.
That means now is the moment to:
- Refine your product roadmap, and plan for January submission and in submission windows ahead.
- Diversify funding sources, and increase the volume and quality of submissions
- Prepare for the surge of funding activity that will follow when operations resume.
When the government turns back on, the organizations that are prepared will win the most and move fastest.
The SBIR/STTR program is up for renewal
The SBIR/STTR programs are once again up for reauthorization — and while the current authorization has technically lapsed, history points to a clear outcome. Every past renewal has passed with strong bipartisan support, recognizing these programs as vital engines of U.S. innovation and small business growth.
Several extension bills are already in motion, and policy frameworks like Project 2025 call for increasing the SBIR allocation. In short, reauthorization is the most likely path forward. These programs have survived every shutdown before and they’ll continue to power innovation long after this one.
How Grant Engine Is Responding
We’ve seen cycles like this before. Every time, our approach remains the same – stay calm, stay strategic, and stay proactive. The biggest reality from 2025 to date is that many companies stayed on the sidelines, and those teams and companies that stayed the course enjoyed an easier time getting an award than in the last few years. There is a lot of funding out there!
Here’s how we’re supporting clients through this period:
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- Real-Time Funding Intelligence:
Our Search team continuously tracks which agencies and programs remain active. We identify near-term opportunities so our clients don’t miss a beat. Contact Us for a solicitation search to find what opportunities exist for you. - Plan Ahead: What funding will you need in 12 and 24 months?
Think about what non-dilutive funding, as well as equity, you’ll require one and two years from now to reach your growth milestones. By mapping those needs early, you can align your fundraising strategy with your development timeline and avoid funding gaps. We work with clients to build flexible submission and funding strategies – ensuring that when the government reopens, they’re positioned to act immediately. - Diversify Funding Sources
Our team helps identify federal, state, private, and ex-USA funding that can serve a variety of sources that will work for you in a focused strategy. - Utilize Our Free Resources
Whether it is the advantage of evaluating a new solicitation, using our SBIR planning calendar, our NIH submission checklist, confirming you’re all good with the new accounting rules via our free Accounting Health CheckUp, or want a complimentary guide for doing your govt registrations, these and many other resources are free and highly useful – please use them!
- Real-Time Funding Intelligence:
A Message to Our Clients and Partners
If you’re currently working with Grant Engine, your projects remain on track, and we’re gearing up for the January SBIR deadline while submitting to MTEC, CARBX, and many others! Momentum doesn’t pause just because the government does. Our mission: to save lives through obtaining funding for differentiated products, continues without interruption.
We believe that resilience, preparation, and trusted partnerships win in uncertain times. Let’s keep building toward your next breakthrough – together.
If you’d like to discuss how the shutdown might affect your funding plans, or how to get ahead of the curve once things open up: contact us here, email us at funding@grantengine.com, or call us at (650) 937-9164. Grant Engine remains steady, focused, and ready to help you turn uncertainty into opportunity.