Dear Principal Investigators:
We recognize that the media stories about NIH that suggest that the agency has frozen or will freeze funding on current and future awards to Brown and other universities have caused considerable uncertainty and concern within the Brown research community. The University understands this concern, and recognizes the press on the possible funding freeze is unsettling (particularly for those of you who have already faced grant terminations). We confirm that we have not been reimbursed for expenses from NIH since April 3rd, the date that the Trump administration purported plan to freeze $510 million in federal research funding to Brown was reported (based on information from unnamed White House officials). However, at this time, Brown has not received any official confirmation from the federal government regarding this alleged "freeze," and we are actively working to learn more. Consequently, we will continue to carry out the research mission of the university.
In parallel, we are assessing potential paths forward. To preserve as much research funding as possible and to mitigate potential impacts to your work and to the University, we encourage you to exercise caution when spending on your grants. If there are discretionary elements of your award that can be delayed, or grant activities that can be postponed without significantly impacting forward progress on your research, please consider refraining from spending for those items. We also support you contacting PIs on your subawards to request their collaboration with this approach.
We suggest this out of an abundance of caution, and in an effort to preserve all available paths forward for you, your teams, and your impactful research.
We recognize that the media stories about NIH that suggest that the agency has frozen or will freeze funding on current and future awards to Brown and other universities have caused considerable uncertainty and concern within the Brown research community. The University understands this concern, and recognizes the press on the possible funding freeze is unsettling (particularly for those of you who have already faced grant terminations). We confirm that we have not been reimbursed for expenses from NIH since April 3rd, the date that the Trump administration purported plan to freeze $510 million in federal research funding to Brown was reported (based on information from unnamed White House officials). However, at this time, Brown has not received any official confirmation from the federal government regarding this alleged "freeze," and we are actively working to learn more. Consequently, we will continue to carry out the research mission of the university.
In parallel, we are assessing potential paths forward. To preserve as much research funding as possible and to mitigate potential impacts to your work and to the University, we encourage you to exercise caution when spending on your grants. If there are discretionary elements of your award that can be delayed, or grant activities that can be postponed without significantly impacting forward progress on your research, please consider refraining from spending for those items. We also support you contacting PIs on your subawards to request their collaboration with this approach.
We suggest this out of an abundance of caution, and in an effort to preserve all available paths forward for you, your teams, and your impactful research.
But, to reiterate, the research mission of the university continues.
Please email us at our Federal 2025 transition address (federalupdates@brown.edu) if you have any questions. We continue to work diligently to maintain funding for the vital research you all conduct.
Please email us at our Federal 2025 transition address (federalupdates@brown.edu) if you have any questions. We continue to work diligently to maintain funding for the vital research you all conduct.
Thank you for your partnership in these efforts.
Frank, Greg and Marty
Frank, Greg and Marty