Just one day after US Representative Emilia Skykes announced the University of Akron will receive nearly $5 million dollars in grants to further research into polymer recycling and advanced energy transmission and storage, comes word that President Trump has ordered a “pause” on federal assistance programs with the exception of programs like Medicare and Social Security.

CBS News reports the memo directing the pause “requires Federal agencies to identify and review all Federal financial assistance programs and supporting activities consistent with the President’s policies and requirements”. 

According to the memo, “The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve.”

So, what will that mean for the University of Akron? Could money earmarked to further the sustainability of plastics, and to both reduce waste and modernize energy transmission somehow no longer be deemed worthy of government investment?

Right now, it seems; the answer is unknown.

We asked U-A Senior Public Relations and Marketing Strategist, Cristine Boyd, who said they have “not yet received guidance” on what the new administration’s suspension in funding will mean for grants, including the ones announced this week.

When asked if the University already has the money, or whether they are still waiting it to arrive, Boyd said “We do not have the cash “on hand” yet, and explained that “Most grants are based on more of a reimbursement invoice model, rather than cash being forwarded in lump sums.”

We also reached out to Representative Sykes for comment, but have not yet received a response.