Brown University announced Wednesday that it has reached a voluntary agreement with the federal government to restore funding for federally sponsored medical and health sciences research while resolving three open compliance reviews related to federal nondiscrimination obligations.
The agreement, which reinstates payments for active research grants and restores Brown's ability to compete for new federal funding, comes after a federal funding freeze that began in April posed significant challenges to the university's research mission and financial sustainability.
"The University's foremost priority throughout discussions with the government was remaining true to our academic mission, our core values and who we are as a community at Brown," wrote Brown President Dr. Christina H. Paxson in a letter to the campus community announcing the deal.
The resolution includes several major components: restoration of Brown's medical and health sciences research funding, including reimbursement of more than $50 million in unpaid federal grant costs; permanent closure of current federal compliance reviews with no finding of wrongdoing; a commitment by Brown to pay $50 million over 10 years to Rhode Island workforce development organizations; requirements for "male" and "female" designations in athletics and campus housing, consistent with NCAA requirements; restrictions on gender-affirming medical care for minors through university health services; enhanced initiatives to support the campus Jewish community and combat antisemitism; and reporting requirements to ensure compliance with nondiscrimination laws in admissions and diversity programs.
The agreement specifically states that the government does not have authority to dictate Brown's curriculum or academic speech content, preserving what university officials characterize as academic freedom protections.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon praised the agreement as part of a series of broader Trump Administration efforts to reform higher education.
"The Trump Administration is successfully reversing the decades-long woke-capture of our nation's higher education institutions," McMahon said in a statement. "Because of the Trump Administration's resolution agreement with Brown University, aspiring students will be judged solely on their merits, not their race or sex. Brown has committed to proactive measures to protect Jewish students and combat Antisemitism on campus. Women's sports and intimate facilities will be protected for women and Title IX will be enforced as it was intended."
