Brunonian Advocacy
Support Brown in fulfilling its mission as a leading research university dedicated to serving communities, the nation, and the world.
What’s at Stake
Brown’s alumni and friends can be a powerful force when raising our collective voices to stand up for the University and its mission. Recent federal actions threaten the ability of colleges and universities to fulfill crucial aspects of our academic mission. Brown has been subject to a number of federal directives and executive orders affecting research institutions nationally.
Research and Impact
Brown research has a direct impact on the health, well-being and experiences of people and communities around the world, in addition to fueling discoveries and innovation that supports national security, the economy and American competitiveness.
Federal funding is the largest source of research support for Brown. Through a government-higher education partnership that has endured across generations, federal funding has made it possible for Brown researchers to conduct critical studies on major health challenges and partner on clinical trials to deliver medical solutions to people battling heart disease, dementia, immune disorders, mental health conditions and more.
It has fueled studies to guide the development of artificial intelligence, develop next-generation materials and devices, establish approaches for cleaner energy and environmental remediation, and confront issues of secure data systems and technologies. And it has helped Brown serve as a local community partner and anchor for the economy by sustaining the University as a top employer and catalyst for economic development.
From the President
President Christina H. Paxson recently wrote to all alumni sharing “What’s at Stake” for Brown amid ongoing threats to federal research funding.
Get Informed
- Learn more about the global impact of research at Brown, as well as how Brown’s research improves health in Rhode Island.
- News: Brown joins federal lawsuit challenging cuts to U.S. Department of Energy grant funding (April 14, 2025)
- Announcement: Government intervention and status of funding to conduct research (March 31, 2025)
- Announcement: Brown is plaintiff in suit to halt National Institutes of Health cap (February 11, 2025)
- News: Brown urges U.S. courts to block federal actions that threaten funding to support high-impact research (February 7, 2025)
- Learn more about how indirect costs support critical and necessary research expenses.
How You Can Help
If you would like to help protect Brown’s research enterprise, please consider the following:
1. Call or email your members of Congress and urge them to defend federal funding for research at colleges and universities.
2. Support Brown by making a gift through The Brown Fund—one of the best ways to support critical, immediate-use resources to Brown.
3. Directly support research at Brown by giving through our new Research Resilience Fund.
We created this fund for incremental gifts outside the Annual Fund to offer direct, operational support for critical Brown research and essential scholarship facing delay or disruption due to the current instability in awarded federal funding.
Ongoing Areas of Advocacy
Learn about several other key areas of importance where your advocacy and support can make a critical difference in protecting Brown’s ability to make a transformative impact through its teaching, research, innovation, and commitment to being a community partner and anchor in the local economy. And use the resources on this page to see how you can help.
Support for International Students & Scholars
Executive orders and enforcement actions relating to immigration, citizenship, and residency status continue to threaten the security of individual members of the Brown community, as well as America’s leadership in education, science and industry.
- Learn more about how Brown is Responding to Government Requests Regarding Citizenship or Immigration and Community Members' Needs for Resources
- Announcement: Updates on Federal Visa Revocation and SEVIS Termination Actions at Brown (April 10, 2025)
- Announcement: Safety for our international community (March 31, 2025)
- Announcement: Travel Guidance for International Community (March 17, 2025)
Please call or email your members of Congress and urge them to contact the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security and insist on protecting and supporting our international community.
Preserving Endowment Support
Proposals in Congress to significantly increase taxes on university endowments would divert critical funding from scholarships, groundbreaking research and Brown’s contributions to our local and global communities.
- Learn more about The Brown endowment, divestment and ethical investing (Q&A With Brown Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Jane Dietze, April 19, 2024)
- Brown Endowment Explainer (video)
- Talking Points: College and University Endowments | American Council on Education
Please contact your members of Congress today and urge them to oppose any increase in the endowment tax.
Academic Freedom & Self-Governance
Protecting academic freedom is essential for ensuring that Brown students and faculty can continue to choose what they learn and study—and colleges and universities can continue to govern their own decisions about their academic communities—free from government intrusion and threats of censorship. Brown is committed to following the law without compromising the core principles of an educational institution.
- Learn more about Brown’s Principles upholding Brown’s academic freedom (From President Paxson, March 20, 2025)
- Learn more about Brown’s efforts to Strengthen Community Amid Conflict (President Paxson’s 2024 letter and ongoing efforts in Campus Life).
- Announcement: Federal civil rights compliance review (April 11, 2025)
Call or email your members of Congress and urge them to defend academic freedom at colleges and universities.
Want to learn more or get involved?
Interested in learning how you can support the University? Fill out our interest form to receive periodic news and updates about advocacy opportunities for Brown alumni.