Executive Order on Federal Grantmaking: Impact on UofN and UNLV

President Trump signed an executive order on Aug. 10TH overhauling federal grantmaking, emphasizing national interests and stricter oversight. The order transfers grantmaking authority to political appointees, suspends new funding opportunities, and prioritizes merit-based awards for diverse recipients, potentially disrupting Nevada’s reliance on federal grants. It freezes funding announcements, permits grant cancellations or revisions, and requires clear language in notices while favoring new applicants over repeat grantees like the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). This shift could further limit UNR and UNLV’s access to funds.

In 2024, UNR and UNLV collectively obtained over $150 million in federal research grants, sustaining thousands of jobs and advancing key research. UNR’s seismic engineering and renewable energy programs, generating $100 million yearly for Nevada’s economy, depend on grants for facilities and personnel. The executive order’s focus on reducing indirect costs could cut funding, hindering projects like earthquake-resistant infrastructure and solar energy advancements, potentially diminishing UNR’s economic contributions and ability to attract top talent. UNLV’s health sciences and hospitality research, critical to Las Vegas’s tourism economy, supports $80 million in local jobs. Reduced funding may disrupt medical research and workforce development, undermining UNLV’s economic impact. Both universities face risks to innovation and talent retention, threatening Nevada’s research ecosystem.

Nevada’s broader economy faces risks, as demonstrated by a prior $38 million loss for electric vehicle infrastructure due to grant pauses. Rural communities, reliant on federal funding for healthcare and broadband, and urban areas like Las Vegas, dependent on grants for tourism and workforce development, may experience delays or reductions.

Governor Joe Lombardo suggests Nevada can adapt to the new framework, but the order’s vague “national interest” definition raises concerns about subjective funding decisions that could sideline state priorities. Nevada’s congressional delegation, despite limited influence in Washington, D.C., is poised to challenge the order’s implementation through potential legal action or negotiations to protect critical funding for UNR, UNLV, and the state’s essential programs.