Michigan public university leaders urge higher education investment, detail federal grant disruptions

LANSING — Presidents from five Michigan public universities told the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education and Community Colleges on May 7 that continued state investment is critical to sustain student success, research and regional economic development — and several reported federal grant cancellations or freezes that are disrupting research and programs.

Kimberly Espie, president of Wayne State University, said Wayne State serves roughly 24,000 students and that research and development activity at the Detroit campus totaled about $290 million last year. "The research we do doesn't just sit on shelves. It's translated into new medicines, new technologies, and new devices," Espie said.

Espie told the committee Wayne State has experienced cancellations or terminations on roughly 32 to 33 federal grants, representing a net value of about $17 million. She said about 80 percent of Wayne State's research funding comes from the National Institutes of Health and that lost awards affect students, staff and Michigan suppliers tied to the research programs.

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