Just days after the University of Hawaii’s top research officer warned of the potential effects of rumored halts or delays in federal research spending, President Trump has ordered an immediate freeze on all grant and loan payments by federal agencies.

The University of Hawaii brought in $615.7 million in total outside grant funding in 2024, most likely from federal sources. It was the third consecutive year grant-funded research has topped a half-billion dollars, according to a memo circulated last week by the office of Vassilis Syrmos, UH vice-president for research and innovation.

Syrmos’ memo, sent out on January 23, reported “informal communications” from federal agencies reporting “the possible issuance of ‘stop work orders’ and cancellations of advisory council meetings on certain federall funded research and education programs.

“Unfortunately, there is considerable uncertainty at this time surrounding the federal budget and its potential impact on research funding at UH and other institutions,” Srymos wrote.

The abrupt cut-off of previously approved grant payments will play havoc on university research projects and on the UH budget more generally as the institution attempts to fill in vital funding gaps created by the federal cut-off.

Syrmos referred researchers and staff to a website created to provide updated news about the “ever-evolving situation,” which includes new memos from several federal agencies but nothing yet on the potential impact of the funding halt on overall UH research efforts.