A message from the Leadership Team on Federal Actions
Aug. 28, 2025
Dear URI Faculty, Staff, and Students:
Welcome back! We hope you all had an enjoyable summer and are looking forward to an exciting fall semester.
Move-in weekend begins tomorrow, and classes start Wednesday, Sept. 3. URI received a record 28,000 first-year undergraduate applications for the fall 2025 semester, as well as a record number of applications to our graduate programs. More than 3,300 first-year students will join some 500 transfer students, 2,300 graduate students, and thousands of returning students, to comprise a student body of more than 17,000 when classes begin next week.
The Leadership Team on Federal Actions has continued to meet throughout the summer. As we begin the new academic year, we want to share updates on recent federal actions that impact higher education.
Federal reconciliation bill eliminates SNAP-Ed funding
The recent federal reconciliation bill, signed into law on July 4, 2025, includes provisions that eliminate funding for SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education) effective Sept. 30, 2025. URI has, for many years, led Rhode Island’s robust SNAP-Ed program, delivering nutrition education services to individuals and families eligible for or receiving SNAP benefits, with a focus on making healthier choices accessible on a limited budget.
Due to the elimination of federal funding, the University must now responsibly wind down SNAP-Ed activities. This difficult decision directly impacts seven regular staff members and two part-time staff members, whose positions will be eliminated as a result of the federal funding cut, as well as more than 100 partner organizations across the state. Teams in the College of Health Sciences and the Office of Human Resources are working directly with each impacted staff member to provide resources and support them during this transition, and we remain grateful for their work and their impact on communities across Rhode Island.
URI’s commitment, as the state’s public land-grant institution, to serving the people of our state and strengthening communities through education, research, and outreach remains unchanged. The broad educational resources on URI’s Community Nutrition Education website will remain available to the public and partner organizations across the state.
OISS supports URI’s international students, scholars, and family members
URI’s Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) supports international students, scholars, faculty, staff, and family members in immigration regulations, practical matters, cultural adjustment, and making connections in the campus community. The office continuously monitors any changes in federal guidelines related to international students and immigration requirements. Additional information, including contact information, is available on the OISS website.
Judge strikes down Education Department guidance against diversity programs
Earlier this month, a federal judge overturned two Trump administration measures that sought to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in schools and universities across the country. A U.S. district judge in Maryland ruled that the Department of Education acted unlawfully when it threatened to withhold federal funding from institutions that maintained diversity initiatives. The Chronicle of Higher Education recently examined the potential implications of the ruling.
Consistent with our mission, foundational values, and Focus URI strategic plan, URI is committed to fostering an inclusive, people-centered culture—one that celebrates and amplifies the significant and unique contributions of every member of our University community.
Supreme Court allows termination of NIH grants
In a 5-4 decision on Aug. 21, the Supreme Court allowed the National Institutes of Health to terminate $783 million in grants linked to topics such as diversity, equity, and inclusion, gender identity, HIV/AIDS, and COVID-19. The majority ruled that disputes over terminated grants must be handled by the Court of Federal Claims rather than district courts, effectively stopping a series of legal challenges that had delayed the funding cuts.
The University is examining the full implications of the Supreme Court’s decision on research at universities, including URI. To date, the University has not received termination notices for any additional grants as a result of the court’s decision.
URI researchers awarded several recent federal grants
Despite uncertainties surrounding federal support for research at the nation’s universities, URI faculty continue to lead important research that advances knowledge and innovation, enriches student learning, and delivers real-world benefits. Several researchers have secured competitive federal grants recently, including awards to help boost research excellence in environmental microplastics, develop nature-based solutions to mitigate coastal hazards, and improve HIV intervention.
URI offices to host federal research funding forum for our research community
To help support the work of URI researchers, the University’s Division of Research and Economic Development and Office of Government Relations will jointly host a forum for our research community regarding federal research funding, including updates regarding the current and upcoming federal budget process.The forum for faculty and staff will take place Monday, Sept. 8, at noon in Edwards Hall.
In closing
The Leadership Team on Federal Actions will continue to meet regularly, and the Federal Actions Updates website will be updated with new information. The site highlights University resources, including the numerous departments and organizations that support, affirm, and represent the various needs and identities of our community.
To our students, we look forward to welcoming you back to campus over the next several days. And to our entire Rhody community, thank you for making URI the special place that it is, and best wishes for a successful start to the fall semester and academic year.