Ep 5 - Federal Grant Pro Explains Columbia's $400M Federal Grant Fiasco | 60 Universities Under Fire
Grants Explained Around the WorldShow Notes
IIn this eye-opening episode, I break down the Trump administration's unprecedented termination of federal grants to universities. Here's what you'll learn:
*** Columbia University's $400M Close Call: Discover why four federal agencies threatened to terminate Columbia's grants over allegations of failing to address antisemitism, the strict compliance demands imposed, and the shocking resignation of its interim president.
***60 Universities on the Watchlist: The U.S. Department of Education is investigating schools like Harvard, Princeton, and Stanford for issues ranging from race-based scholarships to Title VI violations. Find out which institutions face funding freezes—and why.
*** Maine's Standoff: A special deep-dive into the clash between Maine's governor and the federal government over Title IX and transgender athlete policies. Could political retaliation be costing the state millions in critical grants?
***Impact on Jobs & Research: Learn which universities have already laid off thousands of employees and how canceled grants threaten groundbreaking projects (think AI, marine biodiversity, and more).
I also ask several burning questions at the end of the episode. Would love to know your thoughts.
ABOUT ME:
I'm the founder and CEO of GrantWin Consulting and the lead trainer for GrantWin Academy and I have over 18 years of federal grants experience.
Before starting the firm, I obtained and managed multimillion dollar federal and other government grants for nonprofits and managed grants as a research program manager at a top research university. I was also a public health analyst at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) where I reviewed research grant continuation applications, collaborated with grantees, and coordinated reverse site visits.
I'm one of approximately 313 Certified Grants Management Specialists (CGMS) in the US, a member of the Thompson Grants Expert Panel, the creator of a 4.5/5 star rated federal grant management training series for a federal agency, and a former fiscal consultant on monitoring visits of state agency recipients of federal grants.
I've also spoken about federal grants on several podcasts and stages. I'm a mom of three who enjoys international fiction and foreign films, and I'm a world travel enthusiast.
ABOUT GRANTWIN:
GrantWin is a grant consulting and training firm based in Atlanta, GA that provides pre- and post-award services to support our clients as they find, obtain, manage and comply with federal grants.
GrantWin's mission is to help organizations find, obtain, manage, and keep federal grants that positively impact people and communities.
LINKS:
Consulting Firm: https://grantwinconsulting.com/
Case Studies: https://grantwinconsulting.com/case-studies/
Academy: https://www.grantsworksacademy.com/
Access Our Top Training About Federal Grants: https://bit.ly/40ENNFh
Highlights from our 2024 Summit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEvg2jTmW4k
Book Me As Your Next Speaker: https://grantwinconsulting.com/speaking-and-media/
Check out the Age Has No Limit podcast: https://bit.ly/40TpAv9
More from Grants Explained Around the World
In Episode 21, we covered how countries access grants.
Countries receive grants. Not just nonprofits, universities, and local governments —countries. And much of it does not work the way US federal grants work: no competition, no scoring, no application in the way you and I know it.
Federal grants come with strings attached—and misunderstanding those strings can cost your organization its funding, its reputation, or worse. In this milestone 20th episode and Season 1 finale, I cut through the bureaucracy to answer a deceptively simple question: what does it actually take to stay compliant with a federal award?
What does it take to protect an island nation's environment when the threats keep coming?
The Office of Management and Budget dropped its proposed revisions to Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) on May 29, 2026 — and federal grant professionals need to pay attention before the public comment period closes on July 13.