Dear colleagues,

As we continue to navigate changes that have slowed innovation and research discoveries at Carnegie Research 1 universities nationwide, including Wayne State, we are writing to share information about recent federal actions and our strategic responses. This information was also shared with deans and department chairs in two open discussions earlier this week. Please know that all of us are working together to protect and promote the research excellence that occurs every day because of our Wayne State researchers, students and staff, and to maintain and grow the benefits we bring to our city, region, state and nation.

In the past several weeks, many federal agencies have canceled research and development (R&D) and other sponsored grants and contracts at universities across the country. Some cancellations are due to the elimination of specific programs and agencies, while other grants were individually targeted as redundant or misaligned with the current administration’s priorities. If you are interested in following these updates more closely, our partners at the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU) provide frequent updates on the scope and scale of cancellations.

The Division of Research and Innovation (DORI) is closely tracking the impact of federal actions at Wayne State. As of today, a total of 18 grants worth over $10 million have been terminated. Wherever possible, where a WSU faculty member is the contact Primary Investigator (PI), we have pursued options to appeal the termination of the grant or contract, and we will continue to do so on any future terminations where allowable. In addition, we are also available to support any actions that our collaborators at other institutions decide to take regarding terminated grants where a Wayne State researcher is a subawardee.

These grants supported important work by our WSU faculty, students and staff that advance the health of our community, including interventions for substance use disorders, treatments for cancer and HIV/AIDS, and detection of infectious disease markers in wastewater, among many other important fields of discovery. These grants also supported the academic and professional development of undergraduate and graduate students who are launching their professional careers. The loss of these funds causes great harm to our university community and undoubtedly hampers the progress of discovery, application and translation for community benefit.

Since the start of the new administration, we have increased our federal and state advocacy to describe the real community impact of grant cancellations and inform legislators and community leaders on the proposed cap that will reduce facilities and administration (F&A) reimbursement from the National Institutes of Health. President Espy and Vice President Obasi have had numerous informative meetings with multiple legislators from both sides of the aisle in Washington, D.C. and Michigan. Lewis-Burke Associates, our D.C. lobbying firm, also works daily to advocate on our behalf with legislative and agency staff. As we wrote this message, we were informed that APLU and other national partners launched an effort to develop and present a new F&A funding model to the federal government, with an eye to reduce costs to everyone by eliminating key administrative burdens to PIs and the institution, and we look forward to supporting this and other efforts where aligned with Wayne State’s mission and interests.

Based on information from APLU, Lewis-Burke and other organizations, we unfortunately anticipate more terminations in the near future, although the magnitude of future federal action is not at all clear. Like other R1 institutions, WSU does not have the resources to make up for all terminated grant and contract funding.

There are several steps researchers can take as we collectively work through these issues together. First, if you learn of a new grant termination or have concerns about the impact of a previous termination, email VP Obasi (vpr@wayne.edu) and AVP Aleta Savage (aletasavage@wayne.edu) in DORI.

Our first priority in addressing urgent gaps is supporting our people — our students, our talented researchers and our dedicated staff. Investigators who have concerns about the immediate impact of the pause on time-sensitive progress on a specific project should first consult with their department chair to explore possible solutions. In some cases, departments have existing reserve F&A balances or other fund sources, some of which may be appropriate to use to address urgent gaps.

Similarly, the next step is to reach out to include your school/college associate deans for research and deans in the discussion to explore the potential strategic use of any school/college F&A balances or other fund sources. We recognize that existing departmental and school/college reserves are not sufficient to cover all critical needs. Working within our established organizational structures of department chairs and deans will ensure coordination and strategic deployment across the university to maximize their impact.

DORI is working with deans and chairs to navigate the impact on faculty, students and staff housed in their units by shepherding the planning and coordinating support. At the same time, DORI stands ready to work with investigators to identify parent announcements and other alternative funding sources to advance the great R&D ideas generated by WSU researchers that can be realigned to current funding priorities. We understand there will be new opportunities that align with our research capabilities, and DORI is available to help our researchers engage and put our best ideas forward to successfully compete for future funding.

We understand that changes implemented by the new administration, as well as other federal policy changes, have caused real pain and worry for our community. You likely have completely reasonable questions for which the answers may not yet be known. We understand that this uncertainty renders the environment in which our faculty, students and staff carry on their critical R&D efforts particularly challenging. Your dedication to our Wayne State community, to our students and to advancing knowledge to improve the world is even more noteworthy, a true testament to your personal and our shared values. We thank you.

Dr. Ezemenari Obasi
Vice President for Research

Bethany Gielczyk
Senior Vice President for Finance and Business Affairs, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer

Dr. Bernard J. Costello
Senior Vice President for Health Affairs

Dr. Laurie M. Lauzon Clabo
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dr. Kimberly Andrews Espy
President