The University of Montana continues to build on its research momentum after earning R1 status in 2022 and nearly doubling total research awards over eight years.

President Seth Bodnar said the university’s research portfolio is diversifying and expanding, with award volume up nearly 30% this year alone.

However, shakeups in federal funding could present a major challenge. Uncertainty at the national level means grant-funded projects may lose critical support even after awards are announced. Recent cuts have affected UM programs, including outreach through the Mansfield Center, military language instruction and rural health initiatives.

“It’s in some ways like having a check in hand that you’re not sure you’re going to be able to cash, so a lot of uncertainty at the federal level, and a lot of that just creates difficulty,” Bodnar said. “Uncertainty makes it hard to plan, and so we’re wrestling through that.”