Enabling Vital Research to Continue
Dear members of the Northwestern community
It has been more than a week since news reports surfaced that the federal government plans to freeze a significant portion of our federal research funding. Although we still have not received official notice of such action, we have received stop-work orders on roughly 100 federal grants, money that fuels important scientific breakthroughs.
This research is foundational to Northwestern’s mission of bringing together the sharpest minds from around the globe to make the world healthier, safer and a better place for future generations.
We are grateful to the dedicated faculty, staff and students who work tirelessly in our labs and classrooms. To support them in this period of uncertainty, the University, after consultation with the Board of Trustees, will fund research that is subject to stop-work orders or the federal funding freeze. This support is intended to keep these projects going until we have a better understanding of the funding landscape. The supported research does not include projects that were previously terminated by the federal government.
We continue to urge fiscal responsibility, including the conservative use of funds to help minimize University risk and extend the time that Northwestern can support our research community.
The work we do is essential to our community, to the nation and to the world. Enabling this vital research to continue is among our most important priorities, and supporting our researchers in this moment is a responsibility we take seriously.
Examples of our research impact are highlighted on a new webpage launched yesterday, which showcases some of our most promising work.
We continue to be heartened by the resilience of our community, and how, despite myriad challenges, so many of you have been able to remain focused on what we do best — improving the lives of those around us.