Brown University Begins Workforce Development Payments Following Trump Administration Agreement

Brown University has commenced making payments to local workforce development training programs, fulfilling an agreement reached with the Trump administration regarding alleged anti-semitism on its campus.

Initial Grants Awarded

The Ivy League institution has provided grants totaling $3 million to two key organizations:

• $1.5 million to the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI).
• $1.5 million to Building Futures, a non-profit apprenticeship program.

Brown University President Christina H. Paxson stated that these investments are intended to fund key workforce initiatives, maximize their impact, and enable more residents to develop careers that contribute to the state's economic growth.

Settlement Background

Last summer, Brown reached an agreement with the Trump administration to reinstate millions of dollars in federal research funding and conclude federal investigations into the institution. In exchange, the university committed to disbursing $50 million to Rhode Island organizations focused on workforce training over a decade.

Other universities have also reached comparable agreements with the administration to restore federal funding, with varying payment details:

• Columbia University agreed to pay the federal government $200 million over three years and an additional $21 million to resolve an inquiry concerning harassment of Jewish employees.
• Cornell University committed $60 million over three years, split between $30 million for the government and $30 million for agricultural research.

Grant Details

The recently announced grants will support programs designed to prepare students for in-demand jobs in education and construction.

The CCRI grant will fund a new certificate program in bilingual early childhood education, establishing a direct pathway to the Providence public school district. The funds are earmarked for scholarships and comprehensive student support services, including bilingual tutoring, mentorship, transportation, and meals.

The Building Futures grant is set to finance an apprenticeship readiness program in the building trades, specifically tailored for incarcerated individuals within the state.

Community College of Rhode Island President Rosemary Costigan expressed an expectation that the funding will have a statewide impact.

Beyond the initial $3 million, Brown University will also open applications for future funding opportunities from other state organizations.