Trump cuts US funding for Australian university researchers

Australian university researchers have been told that recent funding cuts from the Trump administration are linked to what they call "woke gender ideology." A memo from the US government mentioned a "temporary pause" on funding for some research projects. Research funding has been stopped at six Australian universities, including Monash University and the Australian National University (ANU). These cuts affect various topics, from agriculture to social science. ANU was the first to announce loss of funding publicly, pointing to a project related to social science. The memo outlined that the US government wants to align funding with its priorities, focusing on areas such as energy, manufacturing, and avoiding what they see as unnecessary spending on progressive social issues. They specified that aid and funding related to "DEI" (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), gender issues, and environmental policies would be paused. ANU vice-chancellor Genevieve Bell mentioned in an email that this was the university's first funding termination from the US. She acknowledged the political context and emphasized support for researchers at the university. Luke Sheehy, CEO of Universities Australia, expressed concern about the shifting funding landscape. With US funding typically amounting to over $400 million a year, Sheehy called on the Australian government to explore partnerships like Horizon Europe, which offers significant research funding. Recent actions by the Trump administration led to accusations of foreign interference in Australian universities, especially after US-funded researchers were asked to confirm alignment with US interests. The Group of Eight, representing top Australian universities, urged their government to join Horizon Europe in response to funding uncertainties. Currently, many Australian research projects rely on collaboration with American scientists. Experts warn that failing to adapt to these changes could leave Australia unprepared for future challenges in research.