USDA restores over $100 million in funding to University of Maine System, Sen. Collins announces – The Times of India

In a significant turn of events, the Trump administration has restored all USDA funding to the University of Maine System. The decision came after a period of uncertainty when federal funding had been frozen due to an investigation into the university’s handling of transgender athletes in women’s sports. Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins confirmed the reversal, offering relief to the University of Maine and its critical research and community programs.
Earlier this year, on February 22, 2025, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched a compliance review of the University of Maine System, focusing on potential violations of Title IX, a federal law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in education. The review was triggered by the university’s decision to allow transgender women to compete in women’s sports, which reportedly violated a recent executive order by President Trump.
USDA funding supports vital programs
As reported by the WGME, the USDA funding supports a range of programs that are crucial to Maine’s agricultural and educational landscape. This includes research into PFAS contamination, as well as studies on potatoes, blueberries, apples, building materials, and tick-borne diseases through the UMaine Tick Lab. Additionally, the funding benefits the 4-H program and many partnerships with Maine’s agricultural, aquaculture, and forestry industries.
According to Sen. Collins, the restoration of funding is essential not only for the University of Maine but also for the local economy. “This USDA funding is critically important not only to the University of Maine, but to our farmers and loggers, as well as to the many people who work in Maine’s agriculture, aquaculture, and forestry industries,” Sen. Collins said in a statement. She added that the continuation of these programs will help support research and development, benefiting local communities.
Positive reactions from state officials
Gov. Janet Mills also welcomed the decision, emphasizing the positive impact on students, faculty, and the broader Maine community. As quoted by the WGME, Gov. Mills expressed relief, saying, “The Governor welcomes the decision by USDA to restore funding to the University of Maine System. It is a relief to the many students, staff, and faculty who depend on that funding to support cutting-edge research and development, prepare for careers in Maine, and make valuable contributions to our rural communities and our economy.”
The USDA’s decision to restore the funding marks the end of a months-long dispute and represents a victory for those advocating for the continuation of vital programs at the University of Maine.