Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025

Dear URI Community Members,

Recent federal actions and funding freezes have created significant uncertainty for organizations and universities across the country, including ours. URI maintains a robust portfolio of federally supported research programs, including more than $66 million in projects funded by the United States Agency for International Development, or USAID.

In January, USAID issued stop-work orders to hundreds of agencies, including URI. And this week, the agency issued termination notices for all URI-led USAID awards. We are deeply disappointed by the agency’s decision and we strongly disagree with this outcome, which undermines the very real, positive impact this work has had on global communities.

As a result of the termination notices, which instruct the University to immediately cease all activities under the awards, and the sustained freeze in federal funding for USAID programs, we have made the very difficult, but necessary, decision to eliminate USAID grant-funded positions at the University and abroad, effective at the end of March.

This was a difficult decision. URI has a long and proud tradition of leading USAID-related work aimed at reducing poverty, improving global health, and advancing democracy. We do not take these steps lightly, and we recognize the impact they will have—first and foremost on the 11 talented and dedicated URI colleagues and friends whose grant-funded positions are ending and the individuals in contracted positions overseas, but also on our broader community.

Earlier today, this information was communicated directly to those affected by these changes. We are grateful for their contributions. Our human resources team is working with each impacted employee to share information and resources, and to match them to new positions at the University where available. It is our sincere hope that many of them will find opportunities to remain at URI.

The changes we share today are necessary to comply with the termination notices and address the uncertain future of USAID funding.

The Leadership Team on Federal Actions and partners across the University are continuing to monitor this and other emerging government actions closely.

As we navigate this evolving landscape, we remain committed to our mission. The education, research, and service of the nation’s universities is vital, perhaps more now than ever. And we remain committed to our community, and to moving forward in a way that ensures financial viability and preserves our mission and foundational values.

Please continue to look out for and support one another in the spirit that defines URI.

Sincerely,

Marc Parlange, President
Barbara Wolfe, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs