Washington State University officials say they are closely watching how recent communication pauses and priority changes from the federal government may affect their operations, from financial award and grant announcements to guidelines for programs.  

The new administration of President Donald Trump has announced spending freezes across the federal government, which may affect research underway or planned at the university. 

WSU President Kirk Schultz wrote in a letter to the WSU community that such delays and shifts are “not uncommon for incoming administrations to issue ... while leadership transitions across the federal government.” 

It reports that of the $350 million in research funding it receives annually, some $150 million comes from the federal government, with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the leading sources. 

A new team of administrators from across the WSU system, including WSU Tri-Cities Chancellor Sandra Haynes, was recently formed to continuously monitor, evaluate and review the changes associated with the federal administration transition. That team will determine how the changes impact WSU while following state laws. 

“As the leadership team makes decisions and/or processes are modified, we will notify faculty, staff, and students. You can expect us to follow the model of ‘say what we know, when we know it,’” Schultz wrote in the letter. 

The university is advising research faculty to continue to follow grant, proposal or funding deadlines and instructions as they are currently posted until further information is made available.