News Summary
The University of Tennessee System is set to lose approximately $37.7 million in federal funding due to grant terminations by the Trump administration. This affects 42 grants, mainly in agricultural research, with the Knoxville campus experiencing the most significant loss. Various projects and educational programs are impacted, forcing staff and students to seek alternative funding sources amidst ongoing operational challenges.
KNOXVILLE – The University of Tennessee System is facing a significant funding loss totaling approximately $37.7 million due to the termination of federal grants by the Trump administration. This action impacts 42 grants across the university system, predominantly affecting agricultural research and educational resources provided by the UT Institute of Agriculture.
The majority of the funding cut, amounting to $31.2 million, pertains to eight terminated grants at the UT Institute of Agriculture, which serves all 95 counties in Tennessee by offering crucial agricultural research and support to farmers. The university system was initially set to receive over $59 million across 58 federal awards from multiple departments and agencies, but the termination of these grants has left $51.4 million of that total impacted, with $37.7 million remaining unspent at the time of cancellation.
The Knoxville campus has been hit particularly hard, experiencing the termination of 25 grants that resulted in a loss of $2.1 million in funding. Other campuses within the UT System also faced cuts, including:
- Health Science Center: Four grants terminated, totaling $2.6 million.
- Chattanooga: Four grants terminated, amounting to $1.4 million.
- Institute for Public Service: One grant terminated, totaling $419,000.
In response to the funding termination, the UT spokesperson noted that there are immediate impacts as staff and students transition to alternative funding sources. Despite the cuts, essential university operations such as research reporting and compliance are continuing with adjusted support funding. Currently, 10 grants within the system remain active while six grants are pending review. However, a total of 23 stop work orders have been rescinded, while nine partial stop work orders remain in effect, which hinder the completion of certain projects without affecting the total award amounts.
A significant contributor to the funding cut was the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which reclaimed the most funds, totaling $26.9 million across the affected grants. Among the terminated grants was a notable $30 million project aimed at expanding markets for climate-smart beef, dairy, and small grazing animals across multiple states. The UT Institute of Agriculture had sub-awarded $10.24 million to other universities as part of this climate-smart practices research project; however, records indicate that while $30 million in “savings” were claimed from the termination of this project, $2.1 million had already been spent since its initiation in September 2023. The project was initially scheduled to conclude in September 2028.
Another project adversely affected by the funding cuts is the Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow program, designed to support agricultural education in Southeast Asia. This program had received five years of funding from USAID in 2023 before being placed under a stop work order in February, with a value of approximately $4.1 million.
These funding cuts are part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration aimed at reducing federal funding and eliminating certain federal agencies, which has had a significant effect on various programs across the UT System and other organizations in East Tennessee. As the university navigates these changes, the long-term implications for agricultural research, education, and the broader community remain uncertain.
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Additional Resources
- Tennessee Lookout: UT System Loses $37.7M in Federal Grants
- Knox News: University of Tennessee Grants Loss
- WATE: University of Tennessee Loses $37M in Grant Funding
- Nashville Banner: Trump Executive Orders and Trade
- Wikipedia: Federal Grants in the United States
