Story perspectives

Trump Administration Cuts Research Funding, Probes 75 Universities

By Drooid · Sep 28, 2026, 4:45 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration froze billions in research funding and investigated 75 universities in 2025.
The administration cancelled a $4 million climate grant at Princeton University.
It warned scientists of “climate anxiety”.
The Academic Freedom Index for U.S. institutions fell from 3.3 in 2019 to 1.7 in 2025.
Donor David Koch gave over $185 million to MIT and joined its governing board for life.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration froze billions in research funding and investigated 75 universities in 2025.
The administration cancelled a $4 million climate grant at Princeton University.
It warned scientists of “climate anxiety”.
The Academic Freedom Index for U.S. institutions fell from 3.3 in 2019 to 1.7 in 2025.
Donor David Koch gave over $185 million to MIT and joined its governing board for life.