Members of the Faculty,

It is a particularly uncertain period for university-based federal research funding, and I write to share information about the current context and how the University is preparing for potential short- and longer-term reductions to programs critical to our work.

In fulfillment of our mission, Brown invests substantial resources to advance knowledge through basic and applied research across the disciplines. In addition to our own investments, we rely heavily on federal funding and policies related to peer-reviewed research. We are collaborating closely with our peer institutions and national associations to underscore with Congress and the Trump Administration the fundamental importance of federal support for research and education to our nation’s economic strength, future and national security. As we do this, we are also developing contingency plans should reductions occur to ensure that critical research taking place at Brown can continue with minimal disruption. This includes allocating $5 million from reserves over the next five years to support the continuation of existing research projects and to prevent interruptions in the support of grant-funded graduate students and staff should current funding be reduced or terminated precipitously. Over the longer term, we are seeking to diversify revenue streams to support research, including intensifying our efforts to develop a more robust corporate relations office and strategy.

Brown Context
For the current fiscal year, sponsored research funding accounts for approximately 18% of the University’s overall budget. The largest sources of support are the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF), as well as the Department of Defense, Department of Energy (DOE), NASA, National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Department of Education and others. 

Federal Budget Context
At this point in the federal budget cycle, there is great fluidity and uncertainty, and while there are potential short-term challenges, the longer-term threats could be far more harmful for research universities like Brown. We know that this will be a protracted process that will require the deliberate efforts of many research-oriented institutions, including universities, to make the case for federal research and education funding.

For the current fiscal year (FY2017), which ends September 30, 2017, the federal government is operating through a Continuing Resolution (CR) that expires April 28, 2017. The CR funds programs at FY2016 levels. If a budget is not passed before the expiration, Congress will need to pass another CR or risk a government shutdown. President Trump has asked for a significant increase in military and homeland security spending, which would result in reductions in non-defense discretionary spending, such as research and student aid. Either a government shutdown or a budget that responds to the President’s request would have implications for our work; a CR in the absence of an FY2018 budget will keep funding at the approximate current levels.

For the longer term, last week, President Trump submitted his initial budget request to Congress for FY2018, which would take effect October 1, 2017. The request prioritizes defense spending and increases for homeland security at the expense of funding for education, research, infrastructure and other areas.
 
It is important to note that the President’s proposed budget is essentially a non-binding blueprint. This so-called “skinny budget” only covers discretionary programs whose funding runs out unless Congress votes to continue the funding, which include the programs referenced in this memo. We can expect to see a more complete budget proposal in May that will include tax policy and spending on entitlement programs.

If the current proposed budget for FY2018 were to take effect, there would be a nearly 20% reduction to NIH funding, as well as reductions to the Department of Energy, Department of Education, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Funding for NASA would be flat, and the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities would be eliminated. In addition to research supported by these agencies, specific areas of research under threat across agencies include:

• Climate change research

• Clean energy research

• Research related to contraception or termination of pregnancy

• Social and behavioral sciences research funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health

In the coming weeks and months, the House and Senate will work on budget and appropriations legislation to fund the various federal agencies and programs, and it is expected that there will be significant modifications to the President’s proposed budget during that process.

Contingency Planning
Given this context, there is a real possibility in the near-term of an abrupt end to funding of ongoing research in particular fields, distinct from the long-term funding challenges. Sudden termination of existing projects could be very disruptive, threatening the viability of work done to date and posing challenges to meeting obligations to graduate students and staff. So that Brown can react as promptly and constructively as possible to such a situation, the Office of the Vice President for Research is assessing current awards that may be most vulnerable to termination and has developed a process for adjudicating cases expeditiously. Through this process, we will be able to determine options for continuing research, or for mitigating any disruption in concluding a project.

Again, it is very early in what we know will be a long and dynamic federal budget process. We will continue to monitor the situation closely, advocate for continued funding and programs that are vital to out mission, and remain as nimble as possible in our response to any shifts in priorities or funding. Please be assured that we are preparing for a number of possible scenarios. The work we do at Brown is important, and we will do all that we can to make sure it continues. Our research is critical not only for the University, but also for the global communities we seek to serve.

If you have any questions about this, please contact Vice President for Research David Savitz at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Richard M. Locke
Provost