Dear faculty,

Today, we are pleased to share the news that the University of Delaware is making funding available immediately to support graduate students and faculty who are facing grant funding delays and terminations resulting from federal actions.

Immediate Graduate Bridge Funding

The Provost’s Office and the Graduate College have collaborated to utilize funding from the Unidel Foundation to immediately establish the Graduate Bridge Fund. The Unidel Distinguished Graduate Fellowships have historically been used as a recruitment tool for incoming students. We typically have some unspent funds that carry over from year to year, and in keeping with our commitment to our current students, we will use these funds to also provide bridge funding for graduate students in need due to grant funding delays and/or terminations.  Bridge funds can be used to cover graduate stipends, tuition, and research expenses that would otherwise be covered by grant funds. 

Immediate Research Continuity Funding

The Research Office has joined with the Provost’s Office to immediately establish the Research Continuity Fund. This pool of funding will be made available to faculty who need to sustain their research but are experiencing funding gaps due to grants that have been terminated or delayed. Awards will be made up to $25,000 to help cover research expenses. 

More information about how to apply to each of these funds will be forthcoming from the Graduate College and the Research Office.

We will continue to monitor and evaluate changes in the federal funding landscape. Together, we believe that we can support each other during this challenging federal funding climate. 

Best wishes,

Laura Carlson, Provost

Miguel Garcia-Diaz, Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Innovation

Lou Rossi, Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate College