How Trump’s Cuts to Research Funding Impacted Your State University: What You Need to Know

Federal funding cuts have impacted colleges across the U.S., stretching from elite institutions to smaller state schools. While major focuses were often on Ivy League universities, a report shows that schools in every state are feeling the pinch. Since President Trump took office, over 4,000 research grants, valued at about $7 billion, have been canceled at more than 600 colleges.

The financial strain is significant. For instance, California, New York, Massachusetts, Texas, and Maryland reported the largest losses. These states alone account for $2.47 billion in canceled grant funding. California’s colleges have lost $294 million—around $150 for each of the 3.5 million students enrolled. The University of California system suffered the most in grant losses compared to other state university systems.

Texas is also feeling the heat. Federal agencies have canceled $524 million in grants meant for Texas universities, with $315 million still unspent. Notably, both the Texas A&M University and University of Texas systems lost substantial amounts, $109 million and $92 million respectively.

Interestingly, when looking at per-student funding losses, both red and blue states are mixed in their experiences. South Dakota leads with a staggering $1,752 lost per student, mainly due to an $86 million grant cancellation meant to support climate-smart agricultural practices. Other states like South Carolina, Idaho, and Montana also experienced significant cuts despite leaning Republican.

On the other hand, states like Hawaii and Massachusetts saw high losses per student, too.

Overall, public land-grant universities have been hit especially hard, with almost two-thirds affected by grant cancellations. Historically Black colleges and universities are not spared either; half have faced similar funding losses.

In this environment, how universities adapt to these financial challenges is critical. They may need to explore alternative funding sources, partnerships, and innovative research methods to navigate this landscape. As universities continue to share their experiences and strategies, the conversation around educational funding and its broader impact will likely grow more intense.

For further reading, you can check a relevant report from the Center for American Progress here.

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