The University of Hawaiʻi (UH) is on the verge of achieving a significant milestone in extramural funding, with officials announcing that the institution is nearing an impressive $100 million increase compared to last year.
However, this promising financial trajectory is being threatened by anticipated federal budget cuts that could have far-reaching implications.
In a recent interview, Vassilis Syrmos, who serves as vice president for research and innovation and was just appointed interim provost of the flagship Mānoa campus, provided insights into the current funding situation.
Syrmos noted that while UH has seen remarkable funding growth, the backdrop of potential cuts has overshadowed this success.
“As of today, we have almost $82 million in federal funding cuts impacting more than 100 individuals,” Syrmos reported.
The financial adjustments necessary to address these funding shortfalls could amount to around $650,000 per month in payroll reductions that UH would have to cover.
The situation appears poised to worsen, particularly after September 2025, when the federal fiscal year 2026 begins.
This year’s budget proposal from the president suggests dramatic decreases in funding across multiple key agencies, including a nearly 60% cut to the National Science Foundation, 40% to the National Institutes of Health, and significant reductions to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA.
“These are draconian cuts that will reverberate not just in Hawaiʻi but across every higher education institution in the U.S.,” Syrmos added.
Despite projections suggesting UH could reach between $750 million and $780 million in funding, the university now expects total funding to land around $710 million or $715 million for the current fiscal year, still representing nearly a $100 million increase from last year—but hinting at potential decline.
Looking ahead, Syrmos expressed deep concern about the implications of these funding cuts for the future of science and research in the U.S.
He emphasized that the financial ramifications extend far beyond mere dollar amounts.
“The most troubling impact is the potential loss of young scientists and engineers, who represent the next generation of innovation and research,” he stressed.
Syrmos warned that losing the talent pool of emerging scientists could create lasting repercussions for the U.S.
“Once we lose that pipeline, it will be incredibly difficult to rebuild it in the next decade,” he said.
This loss of intellectual capital could undermine the U.S.’s competitive edge in attracting top talent from around the world, potentially handing over leadership in research and innovation to other countries.
Syrmos expressed that the opportunity for the U.S. to attract international researchers has been a hallmark of its renowned status in the scientific community for the last 60 years.
“When we place barriers to scientists coming to the U.S., we are effectively hindering our own future in research and innovation,” he pointed out.
Federal funding plays a critical role in supporting key research projects, many of which would be severely impacted by the impending cuts.
Syrmos highlighted that the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi relies heavily on administrative revenues tied to federal grants, with potential crippling effects on the research infrastructure if these funds are slashed.
Significant terminations have already occurred for various Department of Defense grants focusing on energy resilience and climate adaptation due to budget constraints.
However, Syrmos mentioned efforts made by UH to reverse some funding reductions.
“Working alongside our congressional delegation and the Navy, we were able to successfully restore approximately 50% of the cuts we initially faced,” Syrmos stated.
Despite these victories, Syrmos cautioned that continued budget reductions are likely to affect significant astronomy programs, particularly those operating in Maunakea, where UH is recognized as a global leader in the field.
The drastic projected cuts to the National Science Foundation threaten not only ongoing projects but also essential infrastructure impacting the highly regarded Thirty Meter Telescope project.
Syrmos described the potential impact of these decisions as a significant concern for the university and stakeholders involved in astronomy and oceanography at UH.
While the challenges presented by looming budget cuts are daunting, Syrmos maintains a sense of optimism regarding the future of UH.
“Even though we face these trials, I have faith in our resilience as an institution, and we will navigate through these challenges.
We have outstanding faculty and will strive towards normalcy in funding once more,” he concluded.
image source from：https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/the-conversation/2025-06-13/draconian-cuts-to-national-institutions-university-of-hawaii
