Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Stops Wasteful Grantmaking

8/7/2025

Fact Sheets

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Action Summary

Ending Grant Abuse: President Trump’s Executive Order stops bureaucrats from wasting taxpayer dollars on frivolous grants and ensures funding benefits Americans.
Rigorous Review Process: Appointees and subject matter experts will now review funding announcements and awards to verify they align with Administration priorities and avoid duplication.
Grant Termination and Simplification: The Order allows for termination of grants that do not meet policy objectives and mandates that funding announcements are simplified using plain language.
Merit-Based Awarding: Emphasizes awarding grants based on a grantee’s ability to produce results rather than on resources for grant writing, aiming to eliminate ideological bias.
Historical Concerns: Reviews previous federal grants that supported projects deemed harmful or wasteful, such as funding for drag shows, controversial education programs, and questionable research initiatives.
Commitment to Fiscal Responsibility: The Administration highlights efforts to eliminate waste and fraud, citing previous terminations of contracts that saved billions of taxpayer dollars.

Risks & Considerations

The Executive Order introduces a more stringent review process for grant awards, which could lead to increased scrutiny and potential reduction in funding for research projects at Vanderbilt University. This may affect ongoing and future research initiatives, particularly those that do not align with the Administration’s priorities.
There is a risk that grants supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, as well as other social science research, may face cuts or termination. This could impact Vanderbilt’s commitment to fostering an inclusive academic environment and supporting diverse research agendas.
The emphasis on awarding grants based on merit and alignment with national priorities may require Vanderbilt to adjust its grant application strategies, potentially increasing administrative burdens and necessitating a reevaluation of research focus areas.
Vanderbilt may need to enhance its advocacy and communication efforts to demonstrate the societal benefits of its research projects, ensuring they are perceived as aligned with public interest and national priorities.

Impacted Programs

Research Centers and Institutes at Vanderbilt may need to reassess their funding strategies and project alignments to ensure continued support under the new grant evaluation criteria.
The Office of Sponsored Programs might experience increased workload in navigating the new grant application processes and ensuring compliance with the revised guidelines.
DEI Initiatives and programs may face challenges in securing federal funding, necessitating alternative funding sources or strategic adjustments to align with the Administration’s priorities.
Vanderbilt’s Public Policy Studies and related departments may need to adapt their research focus to align with the Administration’s emphasis on projects that benefit American interests.

Financial Impact

The potential reduction in federal grant funding could impact Vanderbilt’s research budget, necessitating adjustments in financial planning and resource allocation.
Vanderbilt may need to explore alternative funding sources, such as private foundations or industry partnerships, to mitigate the impact of reduced federal support.
The increased emphasis on merit-based grant awards may require investment in grant-writing expertise and training to enhance the competitiveness of Vanderbilt’s grant applications.
Changes in funding priorities could affect the financial sustainability of certain research programs, particularly those focused on social sciences and DEI initiatives.

Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents a need for potential major changes or transformations of programs.)

Key Actions

Office of Federal Relations should establish a task force to closely monitor changes in federal grant policies and ensure that Vanderbilt’s grant applications align with the new merit-based criteria and Administration priorities. This will help secure continued funding and avoid disruptions in research projects.
Research Administration should review and potentially revise grant-writing processes to emphasize the alignment of research projects with national priorities and public interest. This may involve training faculty and staff on new guidelines and expectations for federal grant applications.
Vanderbilt’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives should assess the impact of the Executive Order on current and future DEI-related projects. Developing alternative funding strategies and partnerships may be necessary to sustain these initiatives.
Legal Affairs should provide guidance on compliance with the new Executive Order, particularly regarding the use of grant funds and the potential for termination of non-compliant projects. This will help mitigate legal risks and ensure adherence to federal requirements.
Vanderbilt’s Communications Office should prepare to address potential public relations challenges related to changes in funding for controversial projects. Transparent communication with stakeholders will be crucial in maintaining trust and support.

Opportunities

The Executive Order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Research Centers to focus on projects that align with national priorities, potentially increasing the likelihood of securing federal funding. By emphasizing research that benefits the American public, Vanderbilt can enhance its reputation and impact.
Vanderbilt’s Policy Studies Programs can leverage the increased scrutiny on grant funding to conduct research on the effectiveness and impact of federal grant policies. This research can inform policymakers and contribute to the national conversation on government spending and accountability.
The emphasis on merit-based grant awards offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Grant Writing Workshops to expand their offerings, providing faculty and staff with the skills needed to succeed in a more competitive funding environment.

Relevance Score: 4 (The Executive Order necessitates major process changes in grant application and management to align with new federal priorities and merit-based criteria.)

Average Relevance Score: 2.8

Timeline for Implementation

N/A – The document does not specify any deadlines or timelines for when the directives must be implemented.

Relevance Score: 1

Impacted Government Organizations

Federal Grant-Making Agencies: This order affects all agencies responsible for awarding federal grants by mandating stricter review criteria and oversight to ensure funds benefit the American public.
National Institutes of Health (NIH): Specifically mentioned due to its role in funding research, including projects like gain-of-function research, the NIH will need to adhere to the new rigorous evaluation processes.
National Science Foundation (NSF): Highlighted for its role in funding initiatives such as AI-powered social media censorship tools, the NSF is subject to the clarified grant-making procedures and enhanced political and expert oversight.

Relevance Score: 2 (Three federal agencies are directly impacted by the executive order.)

Responsible Officials

Political Appointees – Tasked with reviewing funding opportunity announcements and grant awards to ensure that each grant benefits the American public and aligns with Administration priorities.
Federal Agency Officials – Required to simplify funding opportunity announcements using plain language and to enforce merit-based criteria when awarding grants.

Relevance Score: 3 (Directives affect agency-level senior officials such as deputies or directors responsible for grant oversight and execution.)