Brown University Pays Out First Workforce Grants Under Deal with Trump

The Ivy League school is giving $1.5 million each to a community college and a nonprofit apprenticeship program.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 12:23pm

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In a first step toward fulfilling a settlement with the Trump administration over alleged anti-semitism on its campus, Brown University has started making payments to local workforce development training. The university has announced a $1.5 million grant to the Community College of Rhode Island and an equal amount to Building Futures, a nonprofit apprenticeship program.

Why it matters

The payments are part of a larger agreement Brown reached with the Trump administration last summer to restore millions of dollars in federal research funding and end federal investigations into the institution. In exchange, the university agreed to pay $50 million to organizations in Rhode Island focused on workforce training over the next 10 years.

The details

The new grants will support programs designed to train students for in-demand jobs in education and construction. At CCRI, the $1.5 million grant will fund a new certificate program in bilingual early childhood education, with an established pipeline to the Providence public school district. The money will go to scholarships and student support, including bilingual tutoring, mentorship, transportation and meals. The grant for Building Futures will fund an apprenticeship readiness program in the building trades for people who are incarcerated in the state.

  • Brown reached the agreement with the Trump administration last summer.
  • Brown announced the first $3 million in grants on January 30, 2026.

The players

Brown University

An Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island.

Christina H. Paxson

The president of Brown University.

Community College of Rhode Island

A community college located in Rhode Island.

Rosemary Costigan

The president of the Community College of Rhode Island.

Building Futures

A nonprofit apprenticeship program in Rhode Island.

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What they’re saying

“These investments will provide important funding for key workforce initiatives by helping to maximize their impact and empower more residents to build stable, meaningful careers that strengthen the state's economic growth.”

— Christina H. Paxson, President, Brown University

“I hope the money will 'have statewide impact'.”

— Rosemary Costigan, President, Community College of Rhode Island

What’s next

In addition to the $3 million announced, Brown will also begin to accept applications from other state organizations interested in receiving future funding as part of the $50 million agreement.

The takeaway

This deal between Brown University and the Trump administration highlights the growing focus on workforce development and training, as universities seek to address concerns about the value of higher education and its connection to the job market.