A sweeper cleans an area as smog envelops Lahore, Pakistan. The toxic smog has affected tens of thousands of people recently. K.M. Chaudary/AP
On Monday, Gabriel Filippelli opened his email and found troubling news. His $300,000 grant from the State Department was canceled. Filippelli is a professor of Earth Sciences at Indiana University and focuses on pollution and air quality. He works tirelessly on projects that connect climate change to health.
Like many researchers, Filippelli has felt the impact of recent changes brought on by the Trump administration. Besides losing this grant, he had two proposals awaiting review from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), both of which had paused their funding processes.
His work relies on a $5 million grant from the Inflation Reduction Act, which remains secure—for now. However, he worries about how future changes could threaten initiatives that address environmental justice. “Midwestern communities want to build climate resilience, and we help them access the resources they need,” he said.
Filippelli’s canceled project aimed to tackle air quality in Pakistan. It involved partnerships with two Pakistani universities and a tech company to set up air quality monitors and train local educators. This project was meant to connect expertise from the U.S. and enhance climate resilience in Pakistan.
The cancellation announcement came as a shock. He received a vague email stating that his project no longer aligned with the State Department’s priorities. Just as things were starting to move forward, he had to cancel a trip to lead workshops in Pakistan.
Filippelli expressed concern for his Pakistani partners. The abrupt change is demoralizing for them, especially as they deal with severe air quality issues. Their message to him was simple: “My goodness.” The shock was palpable.
For Filippelli and his colleagues, this loss disrupts established plans and structures. They had begun preparing for visits and knowledge exchanges between the U.S. and Pakistan, aiming to share environmental strategies. Losing U.S. support means vital resources that could improve air quality in Pakistan may not materialize.
Filippelli has never experienced funding being pulled in this way. Most researchers focus on malfeasance when discussing funding issues, not sudden cancellations without cause. Alongside fellow researchers, he feels a sense of disbelief as funding channels close off.
The current atmosphere in the research community is tense. NIH has paused its proposal reviews, and now NSF has done the same. Filippelli has proposals related to checking lead sources in communities in Texas and Indianapolis, as well as a program for graduate studies in environmental sustainability, on hold.
He believes many people don’t realize how deeply the U.S. invests in scientific research—efforts that lead to new discoveries, patents, and even changes in national policies. He hopes congressional leaders will respond to these abrupt changes and restore funding for essential projects.
Universities not only innovate; they train future leaders. When researchers face uncertainty, it risks stunting the development of the next generation. Every lost grant means missed opportunities for learning and discovery.
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