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Universities tell JFAC an OMB funding pause raised short-term risk to federal grants; potential impacts under review
Summary
ISU and Boise State said an OMB-directed pause and related litigation created near-term uncertainty for federal grants. ISU estimated up to about $25 million could be affected; Boise State said it immediately reviewed restricted federal awards and worked with state officials to understand impacts.
Representatives of Idaho State University and Boise State University told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Jan. 29 that an Office of Management and Budget memo and related litigation created short-term uncertainty about federal grant funding and program continuity.
What the universities said Rob Wagner, ISU president, said his institution did “some very quick math” and at one point on the prior day believed approximately $25 million of anticipated federal funding could be at risk; he said faculty with active research projects and federally supported student-academic programs were concerned about continuity. Wagner said a court order later put the federal directive on pause and that ISU was working with national associations to assess impact.
Boise State President Marlene Tromp told the committee her staff immediately began reviewing restricted federal grants and was coordinating with the Division of Financial Management and national partners to determine actual exposure. Tromp emphasized that federal grant funds are “utterly restricted” and may be used only consistent with the grant terms.
Why it matters Both presidents described potential disruption to research activity, federally funded student supports and other programs that rely on restricted grant dollars. Committee members asked whether Pell Grants were affected; representatives said the best available information to date was that Pell Grants were not impacted.
Next steps Universities said they are tracking grant-by-grant exposure, coordinating with state authorities and national associations, and will provide the committee information as it becomes available. Tromp and Wagner said the pause was in place at the time of their testimony and that institutions were working through federal and legal developments.
Ending Both universities asked for time to review grant accounts and emphasized they will follow federal and state law in any response. The committee requested documentation and follow-up as grant impacts become clearer.
