How Trump’s Budget Cuts Ended a Vital Geoscience Program for Women at the University of Hawaiʻi | Kauai Now

A program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa aimed at supporting women’s career development in geosciences has been cut due to the loss of federal funding. This decision has raised concerns about the future of women in STEM fields.

Barbara Bruno, the project leader, announced the program’s termination in April after receiving notice from the National Science Foundation. The loss of nearly $200,000 in funding means the end of many initiatives designed to help women in science.

Bruno highlighted that the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology is the largest producer of geoscience graduates in Hawaii. Alumni work in various critical roles, such as monitoring volcanic activity and assessing environmental impacts. She emphasized, “The biggest impact is the loss of professional development opportunities for women. STEM is losing women, and we need programs to help them stay.”

The program included the Catalyst Awards for Science Advancement, which funded efforts to engage students and communities in geoscience. It helped students, staff, and faculty secure funds for workshops, research, and field projects. Notably, this included support for groups focusing on diversity and inclusion within the university.

The funding cut not only affected women in the program but also halted a graduate student’s research in marine biology and disrupted ongoing community outreach activities. These outreach efforts had provided vital training for teachers and community engagement in topics like ocean engineering and volcanoes.

Bruno noted that they were in the process of soliciting applications for future funding when the termination notice arrived, further highlighting the abruptness of this decision and its impact on upcoming initiatives.

In a larger context, on May 28, Hawaii’s Attorney General Anne Lopez and 15 other attorneys general filed a lawsuit to protect essential National Science Foundation programs. These programs are crucial for maintaining the United States’ leadership in STEM fields.

Amid this turmoil, Bruno is actively seeking alternative funding sources to continue supporting women in science.

The abrupt end to this program highlights an ongoing challenge in STEM—keeping women engaged and supported. According to a 2021 survey by the American Association of University Women, women make up only 28% of the STEM workforce. As the conversation around diversity in these fields continues, initiatives like the Catalyst Awards prove essential for fostering the next generation of scientists.

For more details on the program and its implications, you can check out the official Catalyst Awards for Science Advancement page.

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