Trump Administration Cancels Grant Funds to UNC-CH

GOVERNMENT

By Tyria McCray-Bourda
Correspondent

CHAPEL HILL– In a significant move as part of the administration’s extensive crackdown on DEI-related funding, the Trump administration has decided to revoke a federal special education grant intended for the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at UNC-Chapel Hill – Script-NC. This program, funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) at the U.S. Department of Education, is crucial for training Pre-K teachers to support students with disabilities. Unfortunately, due to the reduction in federal funding and the university being in the second year of the grant, the program is expected to face a loss of $200,000 this year, and future funding for the next three years is also uncertain.

Since 2011, the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at UNC-Chapel Hill has operated the SCRIPT-NC program, which has played a vital role in providing special education training to approximately 10,000 community college students pursuing careers in the child care sector. This institute focuses on three key areas: implementing developmentally appropriate and inclusive practices for all children, regardless of their abilities, collaborating with families through family-centered practices, and fostering children’s STEM learning, literacy, and social-emotional growth. This program is funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) at the U.S. Department of Education.

The program offers Associate’s degree programs, as well as technical assistance and professional development for early childhood educators. To promote the sustainability of its initiatives, the program grants access to a variety of free open-access resources and tools, including pedagogical materials, handouts, videos, webinars, rubrics, and matrices. Over the years, the program has collaborated with 12 community colleges across North Carolina (see list below). Additionally, it has reached over 2,500 faculty members throughout the United States.

Furthermore, the written notification from the Trump administration references the university’s wording in the grant application concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion. It states that the program would be “in conflict with agency policy and priorities, and therefore is not in the best interest of the Federal Government“. This funding loss raises worries about how future educators will be equipped to address the needs of children with disabilities—particularly in under-resourced communities.

A spokesperson from UNC-Chapel Hill said to TLR via email that the program is currently seeking an appeal to reverse the funding termination.

“Federal funding made the operations of the program fiscally possible. The latest Department of Education award was granted for a five-year period in 2023, totaling $1 million ($200,000 per year). The grant was terminated in the second year of a five-year period,” said UNC-Chapel Hill spokesperson.

Moreover, Public Schools First NC, a statewide nonpartisan nonprofit organization that advocates for public schools across North Carolina, shared the news via Facebook and garnered comments from Orange County residents expressing their disdain for the decision.

“ This so desperately needed. Parents are telling me school districts don’t provide special education to preschoolers and these kids need educators with more than birth to kindergarten pre-service training,” said one concerned resident.

Furthermore, the Department of Education has informed UNC-Chapel Hill that its grant application emphasized collaboration with minority-serving community colleges and boasted a diverse staff. The application lists the race and disability status of some existing program staff members, as well as the fact that if additional staff members are needed, the project would encourage applications from people from underrepresented backgrounds.

Community Colleges Impacted Due To Federal Funding:

• Robeson Community College
• Craven Community College
• Durham Technical Community College
• Fayetteville Technical Community College
• Stanly Community College
• South Piedmont Community College
• Sandhills Community College
• Alamance Community College
• Blue Ridge Community College
• Forsyth Technical Community College
• Davidson-Davie Community College
• Vance-Granville Community College

Here is the link to view the cancellation notice. https://www.wunc.org/education/2025-09-19/trump-admin-cancels-special-ed-grant-unc-chape-hill-pre-k-teacher-training

Tyria McCray-Bourda is a story-driven journalist whose work has previously appeared in The Carolinian newspaper in Raleigh. Attaining a bachelor’s degree in communication from Southern New Hampshire University, she has the distinction of having interviewed President Joe Biden when he was a candidate on the campaign trail, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris. This reporter can be reached at: Information@TheLocalReporter.press