ORONO — Nine University of Maine researchers are being laid off.
According to the university, the decision is a result of federal funding uncertainty.
Engineers, scientists, and technicians at the university’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center are among those who are being laid off — effective June 6. Employees were notified on Monday.
The center is known for large-scale advanced manufacturing, including 3D printed houses made from Maine wood waste and composites technology.
According to the university, more than 85% of the Center’s funding comes from grants and contracts from the federal government. In April, the university said the U.S. Department of Energy suspended three awards totaling $15.8 million, with $3.4 million remaining to be paid out.
The University of Maine System said the funding supports research to “strengthen Maine and the nation’s economic competitiveness, energy independence, advanced manufacturing, civil infrastructure and security.”
According to the university, payments to the center for other awards have also been delayed during the federal transition.
According to the university, the impacted employees will receive support “consistent with their collective bargaining agreements and access to the University of Maine System’s Employee Assistance Program.”
They are also eligible to return to UMS if relevant positions are posted in the future.
The center currently has nearly 200 regular employees, in addition to 182 student workers during the past spring semester.
In a message to employees at the Advanced Structures and Composites Center, center leaders wrote that unexpected pauses and delays in federal funding have required research projects to be slowed or rescoped.
“Regrettably, we must implement a carefully targeted employee reduction to align the size of our workforce with the level of resources available now and in the foreseeable future,” the message reads, in part.
In April, the DOE said funding cuts to American colleges and universities are part of President Trump’s goal to make government spending more efficient.
The affected employees have not been named publicly, and the university said they will not comment further as the University of Maine System “continues to support affected employees and pursue restoration of federal awards and further funding diversification.”
The center was founded in 1996. According to the university system, the center has secured more than 300 patents, created 14 spin-off companies, and supported more than 2,900 UMaine students through paid research learning experiences since its founding.
