Update: The Trump administration on Jan. 29 rescinded an earlier memo that called for a massive freeze of federal funding.
Ohio’s college leaders are working to understand the impact of the Trump administration’s decision to pause the distribution of federal grants, including millions of dollars for research.
Federal agencies are being asked by the White House Office of Management and Budget to identify and review all programs and activities receiving government money to make sure these efforts are “consistent with the president’s policies and requirements,” according to a memo issued Jan 27.
Lots of confusion surrounded the move. It was slated to go into effect on the evening of Jan. 28. A federal judge blocked the move temporarily.
“It is unclear what the full scope of this memo is as well as its legality,” Case Western Reserve University President Eric Kaler wrote in an email to his university community. “However, we believe it could have a considerable impact on our current and pending federal funding.”
This is the latest in a string of recent moves from the Trump administration that could affect higher education. They’ve moved to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion programs. There were also several immigration-related actions, which could make mixed-immigration status families hesitate to file for federal financial aid.
Administration officials said this latest effort is necessary to “act as faithful stewards of taxpayer money.” They said the freeze will not affect students’ federal aid such as Pell grants or student loans.
But universities are worried that it puts their research funding at risk.
They rely on these dollars to help support research projects, ranging from healthcare innovations to advanced manufacturing. It can help pay for all kinds of things that contribute to the work, including the salaries of graduate students and other employees as well as administrative support.
Pause puts millions on hold for Ohio’s colleges
Public research universities in the state receive hundreds of millions of dollars in federal research dollars.
Officials at Ohio State said the state’s flagship university “has one of the largest research portfolios in the nation,” totalling nearly $1.5 billion during the 2023 fiscal year. Close to $695 million, they said, came from federal funding.
That goes towards work on projects spanning from cancer research to artificial intelligence to agriculture.
“This federally funded work benefits the citizens of Ohio and the nation,” an Ohio State spokesperson told Signal Ohio via email.
Kent State’s portfolio isn’t quite as big. Last year, officials said they received about $23 million in federal grants, with more than half going to research projects. Not having this money would have a “dramatic” financial impact on the university, officials added.
That’s because faculty budgets at the university, which ended the most recent fiscal year with a $10 million deficit, are pre-approved. They spend that money. Then, the university looks to get it back on a monthly and/or quarterly basis.
“In effect, we spend in good faith that we will be reimbursed,” a spokesperson told Signal Ohio via email. “If those reimbursements are not processed, that would have large financial implications.”
Federal funding moves could ‘significantly impact’ university operations
University leaders underscored the uncertainty surrounding these decisions, echoing what national higher ed organizations are saying.
Ohio State created a website to help researchers get information. Case Western Reserve officials said they’re working with “individuals both within and outside the university” to learn more.
And in his email Tuesday, the president of the University Circle campus gave a blunt assessment of what he believes is at stake given recent announcements.
“These measures could significantly impact how we as a university operate, from where we receive critical funding, how we conduct research, with whom and how we can collaborate on impactful projects, and, importantly, who can study and work at Case Western Reserve,” wrote Kaler.
What type of coverage is missing when it comes to higher education in Ohio? Our reporter Amy Morona wants to know what you think! Send her a note by filling out this form.