Missoula, MT — Montana State University (MSU) is navigating a period of uncertainty as President Donald Trump’s executive orders to reduce what he deems wasteful government spending threaten to impact critical research funding. The university, which relies heavily on federal grants, is now grappling with the potential consequences of these cuts, leaving staff, students, and faculty concerned about the future of their work and livelihoods.
MSU receives over $250 million annually in federal research funding, a vital source that supports not only scientific research but also the costs associated with research operations such as supplies, utilities, and the maintenance of facilities. In 2024, the university reported a record $257.9 million in research funding, marking the sixth consecutive year of increasing research dollars. However, Tracy Ellig, MSU’s Vice President of Communications, expressed concern that any reduction in this funding could have a devastating effect on the university’s operations.
“The loss of federal dollars would leave a significant gap in the budget,” said Ellig. “There’s no other source of funding to backfill these losses. If it happens, we may have no choice but to lay off staff, remove student stipends, or even close some of the university’s core research facilities.”
Ellig’s remarks reflect the gravity of the situation. The potential for layoffs and the elimination of student stipends would directly impact hundreds of researchers, technicians, and students whose work is funded by federal research grants. In addition, the broader economic ramifications could be felt throughout the state. Ellig noted that MSU’s research has often led to the development of successful businesses, with many local companies benefiting from innovations made possible by federal funding.
“Federal dollars help create the environment for new technologies and companies to emerge. If these cuts go through, it could have a broader economic impact, especially on private businesses that have been able to grow as a result of this research,” Ellig explained.
The uncertainty surrounding federal funding has created an atmosphere of frustration among faculty and staff at MSU. Many have dedicated years to securing federal grants and advancing their research, only to find their future projects and employment now at risk. Ellig acknowledged the difficulty many feel in seeing their hard work called into question.
“What’s disconcerting to the faculty is that they’ve put in a tremendous amount of effort to meet federal expectations,” Ellig said. “They’ve worked hard to build their research and now it feels like the rug is being pulled out from under them. They were simply doing what the federal government asked them to do, and now they’re facing the possibility of having it taken away.”
As MSU grapples with the potential fallout from these funding cuts, the university remains in a holding pattern, awaiting further direction from federal authorities. While officials remain hopeful that funding will be preserved, the uncertainty has underscored the importance of federal research dollars to the university’s mission and the broader economy.
The coming months will be critical for MSU as the university navigates these challenges and attempts to mitigate the potential effects of these federal spending cuts. In the meantime, faculty, staff, and students continue to prepare for a future that may look very different from the one they had envisioned.
