In April, Andrew Rice, a physics professor at Portland State University, faced a disheartening situation when he learned that the National Science Foundation (NSF) had terminated their recently renewed federal grant that funded his Research Experience for Undergraduates program.
This announcement came just before the 10 undergraduate students selected to conduct geoscience research were set to begin their summer internships.
“I was most disappointed for my students,” Rice remarked, noting that he felt an immediate obligation to inform them of the news.
This particular cancellation was part of a broader trend, as the NSF pulled the plug on six grants at Portland State University and around 12 across all universities in Oregon, totaling over $6 million in research funds.
The grants had been instrumental in supporting various scientific research initiatives and educational opportunities.
Rice’s program was no exception; it enabled students to conduct meaningful research in geoscience, building on past successful projects like tracking atmospheric rivers and testing air filters for wildfire preparedness.
Additionally, in May, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cut $2 million from Oregon State University, funds that were intended for testing wastewater treatment effectiveness.
Affected faculty members expressed frustrations regarding the lack of clarity surrounding these cancellations, with many receiving only brief notices without ample explanations.
Following the initial terminations, the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, labeled the terminated grants as “wasteful DEI grants” in a social media post.
Professor Bob Bass from Portland State underscored the pattern, suggesting that the references to diversity, equity, and anti-racism in the titles and themes of the canceled programs likely influenced the decision.
Rice also noted that his program’s focus on broadening participation in the geosciences, particularly for underrepresented groups, might have contributed to its cancellation as similar programs around the country faced cuts.
Of the more than 1,600 grants terminated nationally, about half were directed towards educational initiatives aimed at diversifying the STEM fields, which remain predominantly occupied by white and Asian males.
Tong Zhang, the assistant dean for inclusive innovation at Portland State and administrator of another canceled grant—the regionwide Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation—reflected on the repercussions of these funding cuts.
For 15 years, this program has worked diligently to raise graduation rates for Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, and Pacific Islander students in science and engineering through various supportive measures.
Zhang highlighted the immediate effects of the funding cuts, stating, “We have first-generation college students who are not going to be able to pay the bills.”
She also pointed out the long-term implications, including a potential setback in meeting the national development goals for the science and engineering workforce.
Another program impacted was Portland State’s Diverse Internships in Semiconductor Careers, which aimed to create 56 local, paid internships in the semiconductor field over three years.
As the first cohort of interns neared the end of their program, they learned that nearly $1 million in funding had been rescinded.
Project leader and chemistry professor Andrea Goforth remarked upon the scramble to secure last-minute funding for the final stipends, symbolizing the uncertainty that surrounded many internship programs post-termination.
With 150 students having applied for the next internship cycle before the grant cancellation, Goforth emphasized the importance of such experiences, stating that they “can be really career-determining and open doors to experiences students didn’t think were possible.”
Christof Teuscher, an engineering professor, reiterated the positive impacts of internships, noting that several interns were now considering professional paths in the semiconductor industry, which is currently facing a labor shortage.
Like many of her colleagues, Goforth received a vague notice about the grant termination on a Friday, highlighting an abrupt disruption to projects designed to promote inclusivity among all students in the science and technology fields.
Professor Alida Cantor, a geography faculty member, suffered a similar fate with her federal funding cuts for two research projects, including an NSF grant focusing on energy processing impacts.
Cantor, who had already gathered substantial research data, found the cancellation particularly distressing as it diverted her attention from processing findings to addressing grant paperwork.
“It was a big gut punch,” she expressed, acknowledging the considerable effort she invested in her research.
The effects of the sudden cancellations were particularly concerning for graduate students reliant on these grants to support their academic pursuits.
Cantor pointed out that unlike tenured faculty, graduate students do not have the same level of flexibility regarding their education and funding options, suggesting that some may face the difficult choice of dropping out without immediate financial support.
“The immediate impact of the cuts is that there are undergraduates who have lost their paychecks for research,” Zhang concluded, emphasizing the need for sustained investment in funding science and education to prevent hindering future advancements.
The terminations leave a gap in foundational experiences for STEM students and threaten not just individual educational paths but also broader scientific progress.
Professor Rice summed it up succinctly, stating, “We’re investing in the future of science and technology in this country, and this is how we do it.
We invest in universities.
Those innovations will not come later if we’re not investing in science today.”
image source from：https://www.oregonlive.com/education/2025/05/a-big-gut-punch-oregon-universities-lose-millions-in-federal-science-funding.html
