A federal grant sub-award agreement between the University of Texas at Austin and Planned Parenthood of Illinois has been terminated, according to documents obtained by Texas Scorecard through an open records request.
The contract termination, signed by UT Austin’s Associate Director of Contracting on February 11, is set to take effect on February 28.
In a January letter addressed to the UT Austin Dean of the School of Social Work, U.S. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Austin) questioned the university’s appropriation of funds to the organization.
According to USASpending.gov, UT Austin distributed the funds from a $2 million grant awarded to the university by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to evaluate THRIVE, a “teenage pregnancy prevention program.”
As of the termination date, $111,284.87 had been obligated to Planned Parenthood of Illinois via UT Austin to study the sexual health education organization aimed at youth.
“Three organizations with expertise in child welfare and sexual health (Planned Parenthood of Illinois, KVC Behavioral Health Services Kansas, and the Colorado Sexual Health Initiative) will implement THRIVE in congregate care settings in their respective states,” reads an archived version of the THRIVE website.
“Planned Parenthood of Illinois is a radical entity and the University of Texas’ association with it violates the conscience of millions of Texans,” wrote Roy previously.
“Considering that the University of Texas is second in the nation in federal research expenditures among public higher education systems, it is essential that we understand why federal grant recipients are entering into partnerships with abortion and so-called ‘gender-affirming care’— providing organizations and under what circumstances,” the congressman continued.
Roy requested that the university provide details regarding interactions and agreements between UT Austin and Planned Parenthood, including the rationale for its selection. Additionally, Roy asked for information on any other funding agreements between UT and other Planned Parenthood locations or additional abortion centers.
Roy’s office told Texas Scorecard the university has been responsive to their communications.
In late January, Roy introduced a measure to stop federal grants from going to universities “affiliated with any school-based service site that provides abortion drugs or abortions to students.”
Neither the University of Texas nor Planned Parenthood of Illinois responded to a request for comment.
