Colorado State University in Fort Collins and the University of Colorado Boulder have given the green light for researchers to resume federally funded studies and DEI-related work after confusion caused by President Trump’s orders to pause federal grants and diversity initiatives.
CSU’s vice president of research, Cassandra Moseley, stated in a memo that work on federally funded awards can continue, including activities related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. This decision comes after federal agencies contributed a significant amount of funding to both universities for research purposes.
President Trump’s executive orders initially halted funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, causing chaos among recipients of federal grants in Colorado. However, a temporary restraining order issued by a U.S. District Court judge in Rhode Island allowed CSU and CU to proceed with their research projects.
Following the confusion caused by the grant freeze, federal agencies sent stop-work notices to CSU scientists working on various projects. These notices impacted research activities related to DEI issues, prompting concerns among researchers.
Despite the temporary setback, CSU and CU officials have assured employees that they can continue pursuing federally supported research. The situation remains fluid, and employees are encouraged to reach out to campus leadership for guidance on their projects.
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Originally Published: February 4, 2025 at 12:45 PM MST
