The Trump administration’s freeze on Environmental Protection Agency grants and contracts is frustrating local agencies that don’t know what to expect. For scientists at Washington State University’s Vancouver campus, it could mean a difference of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Environmental science professor Gretchen Rollwagen-Bollens is the head of the aquatic-biology lab. She and other scientists recently applied for a $760,000 grant to study toxic algae blooms. The research could help keep local lakes from being closed because the waters are too poisonous to play in or drink.
The scientists don’t have any idea if the freeze includes that proposal.
“If our proposal doesn’t get funded, it doesn’t mean we have to close up shop and go home, but it is a major resource to support undergrads, our graduate students, to support our technical staff,” Rollwagen-Bollens said.
The grant money pays grad and undergrad students wages for their research work.
Rollwagen-Bollens said the grant she applied for would usually get approved or not approved around May or June. Not knowing either way can make a difference in their long-range planning.
Scientists say there’s even more to it.
“We do research that is important in solving important problems like environmental issues, but it’s also giving education experiences to students outside the classroom, and also a job,” said Christine Portfors, vice chancellor of research.