Brown awards grants as part of deal with Trump : NPR

In a significant move towards fulfilling an agreement with the Trump administration regarding alleged anti-semitism on its premises, Brown University has initiated payments towards local workforce development training.

The prestigious Ivy League institution has disclosed a $1.5 million grant to the Community College of Rhode Island, as well as an equivalent sum to Building Futures, a non-profit apprenticeship program.

“These investments will provide important funding for key workforce initiatives by helping to maximize their impact and empower more residents to build stable, meaningful careers that strengthen the state’s economic growth,” expressed Brown University President Christina H. Paxson in a statement.

Brown had reached a settlement with the Trump administration last summer to reinstate millions of dollars in federal research funding and conclude federal probes into the institution. In return, the university committed to allocating $50 million to organizations in Rhode Island dedicated to workforce training over the following decade.

Several other universities also entered into similar agreements with the administration to reinstate federal funding, with varying terms regarding the payments they would make. For instance, Columbia University agreed to pay the federal government $200 million over three years and $21 million to resolve an inquiry concerning harassment of its Jewish employees.

Cornell University will pay a total of $60 million over three years: $30 million to the government and $30 million for “research to strengthen U.S. agriculture.”

Details of Brown’s payments

As per a statement from Brown, the new grants will support programs aimed at training students for in-demand roles in education and construction. At CCRI, the $1.5 million grant will facilitate a new certificate program in bilingual early childhood education, with an established pathway to the Providence public school district. The funds will be utilized for scholarships and student assistance, including bilingual tutoring, mentorship, transportation, and meals.

Rosemary Costigan, the president of the Community College of Rhode Island, expressed hope that the funds would have a broad impact across the state.

The grant for Building Futures will support an apprenticeship readiness program in the building trades for individuals incarcerated in the state.

In addition to the $3 million announced recently, Brown will also begin accepting applications from other state entities interested in potential future funding.