University of Guam cautions of federal policy effects on grants; pauses some spending and freezes internships

University of Guam leaders told the Board of Regents on Feb. 20 that recent federal guidance and executive orders have disrupted parts of the university’s grants portfolio, prompting spending cautions and personnel adjustments.

In a report to the board, the university president said the campus manages 284 grants totaling about $184,000,000 and that some federal agencies have paused drawdowns or are rescinding indirect cost agreements. “We manage 284 grants, which equate to $184,000,000 in funding,” the president said during the board meeting.

Why it matters: much of the university’s research capacity and many staff positions are grant-funded; changes to federal grant terms, indirect cost rates and compliance guidance could reduce revenue the campus uses to support research administration and student internships.

What the president reported - Grants and portfolio: The university’s grants portfolio includes awards administered directly and through the Research Corporation of the University of Guam (RCUOG). The president said RCUOG manages a portion of the portfolio and provided figures during the meeting: 13 grants valued at about $76,200,000 (through RCUOG) and 171 grants valued at about $107,800,000…