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This “What’s Next” webinar convened a panel of seasoned experts—from government affairs professionals to veteran grant writers with a combined $125M in wins—to discuss how federal grant funding might evolve under the new Trump Administration in 2025 and beyond.
Moderated by GrantExec’s Co-Founder and CEO, Ryan Alcorn, the conversation generated wide-ranging insights into changing program priorities, the future of major spending bills, and strategies grantseekers can adopt to stay competitive.
Panel Lineup
Dr. Lisa Steinberg, GrantExec: 25+ years’ experience, secured $10M+ in federal R&D grants (NIH, DoD, DOE, EPA, NASA). Specializes in SBIR grants, renewable energy, biotech, and environmental remediation.
Juliana Schirmer, GrantExec: Certified Fundraising Executive with $75M in federal and private foundation awards (DOJ, HUD, HRSA, CDC, Moore Foundation, Google Foundation, etc.).
Ann Davis, GrantExec: 16+ years in federal grant writing, $40M+ secured across DOD, DOC, DOE, DOJ, HHS. Focus in health, education, workforce, and social determinants of health.
Kristina Alcorn, GrantExec: Grant Services Director, host of the webinar.
Trevor McGovern, MPP, Cornerstone: Senior Associate specializing in grants consulting, especially in federal disaster recovery, infrastructure, and government policy.
Andrew Schaeffler, Cornerstone: Associate on the Cornerstone Government Affairs’ OpsWatch grants consulting team, supporting local/tribal governments, universities, and nonprofits in navigating the federal grant landscape.
Setting the Stage
“We recognize that we’re in a moment of significant change and uncertainty here in the United States,” said Ryan Alcorn at the webinar’s outset. “This conversation brings together experts to help refocus your strategies moving forward.”
Although the new administration’s exact funding priorities remain fluid, the panel largely agreed that federal grantmaking will shift in tone and language—but not vanish. Dr. Lisa Steinberg captured this sentiment best:
“Under the previous Trump administration, R&D funding as a percent of the federal budget decreased slightly. But keep in mind, it’s Congress that appropriates funding—and it’s a lot harder to claw back major spending than you might think.”
Key Themes and Insights
1. Major Spending Bills Will Likely Endure…in Some Form
Trevor McGovern highlighted three flagship funding bills from the Biden-Harris era:
IIJA (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law): Expect a “slimmer” version. Traditional infrastructure grants (roads, bridges) could remain, while multimodal or climate-specific provisions will likely be downplayed.
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA):“It came through budget reconciliation with no Republican votes,” Trevor noted. Yet once specific projects bring visible jobs and local benefits to Republican districts, wholesale repeal becomes politically difficult.
CHIPS and Science Act: This is seen as bipartisan—“[the spending bill] actually started under the first Trump administration”—and fosters domestic semiconductor research. Certain administrative add-ons (like childcare requirements for semiconductor manufacturers) might be stripped back, but large-scale semiconductor R&D is likely to stay given national security imperatives.
Quote to note from Trevor:
“Once constituencies are seeing benefits in their districts, it becomes really hard to claw back funding, even with a new administration.”
2. Shifting Language, Not Necessarily Killing Programs
Across multiple sectors, panelists emphasized that the new Trump Administration is likely to rebrand or reframe federal programs rather than outright terminate them. This was a recurring theme:
Justice 40 and Underserved Communities: “We might see the Justice 40 initiative end,” said Dr. Steinberg, “but that doesn’t mean those projects disappear. They’ll be reframed as economic-development-focused.”
Renewable Energy: While there may be an increase in fossil-fuel-friendly language, much of the funding from previous laws (like the IRA) remains legally appropriated. Ann Davis noted:“Renewables can still be funded—just pitch them through an ‘economic growth’ lens instead of pure climate action.”
Health & Direct Services: Juliana Schirmer saw similar rebranding: “We might not see the same level of DEI language in the RFPs, but mental health, opioid crisis work, direct services—those remain public priorities.”
Key takeaway: Pay attention to new buzzwords that match the administration’s rhetorical framing (e.g., “economic revival” or “national security”) if you’re seeking funding for historically environmental or social justice projects.
3. Defense, Domestic Manufacturing, and “Critical Minerals”
Lithium Extraction and Battery Supply Chains: Panelists expect ongoing interest in domestic lithium production for national security purposes, not just for EVs.“Whether we’re decarbonizing or not, DoD needs reliable battery and critical-mineral supply chains,” said Trevor McGovern.
Workforce Development in Trades: Both Ann Davis and Juliana Schirmer emphasized that workforce grants—especially in manufacturing, construction, and skilled trades—are likely to remain robust.“We need to re-skill communities,” said Davis. “Especially rural and former coal communities that need new opportunities in manufacturing or environmental remediation.”
Entrepreneurial Support: Dr. Steinberg observed that “pre-seed” funding from private investors is increasingly stepping in for early-stage tech. Federal programs like NSF’s Engines or EDA’s Tech Hubs might be underfunded but could remain authorized, especially if pitched in terms of job creation and global competitiveness.
Panel Highlights: Direct Quotes
Andrew Schaeffler (Cornerstone):“$2 trillion in cuts is a lot harder than it looks, especially without touching Medicare and Social Security… I wouldn’t expect a total elimination of competitive grants.
Dr. Lisa Steinberg:“We’re likely pulling out of the Paris Accord, so decarbonization won’t get top billing. But Congress still has a strong impetus to keep the U.S. ahead of China in tech. That means there will still be R&D opportunities.”
Juliana Schirmer:“Success remains about reading each RFP closely and understanding the agenda behind it. The goals might stay the same, even if the language shifts from ‘social responsibility’ to ‘economic opportunity.’ We adapt.”
Ann Davis:“Workforce funding will continue, but expect states to play a bigger role. We’ll see more push for trades and manufacturing—tying back to domestic supply chain priorities.”
Looking Ahead: Practical Takeaways
Understand New Preferred Application Language: Underserved or “Justice 40” communities might be re-labeled as “high-need economic zones.” Adjust your application language accordingly.
Leverage Existing Authorizations: Much of the federal grant money was pre-authorized. “Getting rid of it entirely is an uphill battle,” said McGovern. Even under new leadership, it’s not easy to undo these legislative frameworks.
Watch for Rebranding of Climate & Energy Initiatives: Projects that once emphasized decarbonization should pivot to themes like job creation, national security, or global competitiveness.
Look Beyond Federal Grants:“We love federal funding,” said Schaeffler. “But states, private foundations, and corporate partnerships could fill gaps—especially in social justice or renewables.”
Engage with State and Local Pass-Throughs: Pass-through grants from federal to state agencies may be less visible, but “they’re still out there,” cautioned Schirmer. Maintain relationships with state-level departments and watch for re-granting opportunities.
In Summation
While the new administration promises changes in focus and rhetoric, the consensus is that federal grants won’t vanish outright. Instead, expect strategic realignments toward traditional infrastructure, defense-adjacent R&D, workforce development, and domestic manufacturing. The key to success, as each panelist emphasized, is adapting project narratives to align with emerging economic and national security frames.
"There’s no shortage of grant funding—only a shift in how and where to win it. The real challenge isn’t a lack of opportunities—it’s keeping track of them,” summed up Alcorn. “We’ll keep monitoring the evolving grants landscape so that grantseekers stay agile and informed.”
Watch the full webinar recording here:
Interested in more analysis or support with upcoming grant opportunities? GrantExec is here to help you track and strategize. Contact us for further assistance navigating the evolving grants landscape.
Note: The insights shared by Andrew Schaeffler and Trevor McGovern reflect their personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the official views of Cornerstone.