Last Updated on July 28, 2025 by Bertrand Clarke

A New Era for Research Funding at Arizona State University

Arizona State University (ASU), a leading public research institution, is navigating a significant transformation in its research landscape following the termination of 27 National Science Foundation (NSF) grants, totaling approximately $28.5 million, in 2025. This shift, driven by a recalibration of federal funding priorities under the Trump administration, has sparked a broader conversation about the direction of academic research, the role of federal grants in shaping university priorities, and the impact on students, faculty, and communities. While the original narrative tied these cuts to a crackdown on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, a deeper look reveals a complex interplay of policy, science, and institutional adaptation that could redefine ASU’s research trajectory.

The Scope of the Funding Cuts

The NSF, a cornerstone of federal support for nonmedical sciences and engineering, has redirected its funding priorities to emphasize projects with broad national impact and intellectual merit, as outlined by NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan in a statement earlier this year. This realignment led to the cancellation of 1,574 grants nationwide, totaling $1.1 billion, with ASU bearing a significant portion of the impact in Arizona. The university’s 27 terminated grants, announced between April 18 and May 2, 2025, included projects spanning artificial intelligence (AI) education, institutional transformation, and STEM equity initiatives.

Among the affected projects were:

• Collaborative Research: Black Girls as Creators (Grant Number 2315041, $2.4 million): This initiative, which ran from October 2023 until its termination in April 2025, supported after-school and summer camps for Black girls aged 9–14 to engage with AI technologies. The program aimed to foster intersectional learning ecosystems, encouraging young women to collaborate with AI creators and explore careers in technology.
• Increasing the Effectiveness of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion-Focused Institutional Change Teams (Grant Number 2236374, $590,387): Terminated in April 2025, this project supported a “Community of Transformation” for change agents focused on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) principles, aiming to reshape institutional practices.
• Positioning Engineering Faculty to Support Black Engineering Graduate Students (Grant Number 2411987, $733,633): This grant, terminated in April 2025, funded training for faculty at ASU and George Mason University to address systemic barriers for Black graduate students using virtual reality simulations.
• ADVANCE Institutional Transformation (Grant Number 1824260, $2.99 million): Running from 2018 until May 2025, this project focused on reshaping faculty policies to promote gender equity and intersectionality.
• Collaborative Research: Accessible Computational Thinking in Elementary Science Classes (Grant Number 2101039, $931,058): Terminated in April 2025, this grant supported computational thinking education in diverse elementary school settings.

These cancellations, part of a broader wave affecting 80% of grants flagged in a database released by Senator Ted Cruz in 2024, have raised concerns about the future of research at ASU and other public universities. Arizona alone faces potential losses of $812 million across 720 grants from the NSF, National Institutes of Health (NIH), and NASA, with ASU’s share representing a significant hit to its research portfolio.

A Shift in Federal Priorities

The NSF’s decision to terminate these grants reflects a broader policy shift under the Trump administration, which has prioritized projects with universal STEM advancement over those emphasizing specific demographic groups or social justice themes. According to the Department of Government Efficiency, 402 of the canceled grants nationwide were deemed “wasteful DEI funding,” saving an estimated $233 million. At ASU, approximately 94% of the terminated grants included terms like “equitable,” “underrepresented,” or “racial,” which the administration flagged as misaligned with new NSF priorities.

This pivot has sparked debate among researchers and policymakers. Critics, including ASU President Michael Crow, argue that the cancellations disrupt critical research and educational programs, particularly those supporting underserved communities. “They have the authority to cancel these projects. Grants can be canceled at any moment,” Crow said in a March 2025 statement to KJZZ. “But nonetheless, the impact in the areas where these projects are operating is significant.” Crow noted that nearly 80 ASU projects have been affected, underscoring the scale of the disruption.

Conversely, proponents of the cuts argue that the redirected funds will bolster research with broader societal benefits, such as advancements in technology, national defense, and economic competitiveness. The NSF’s updated guidelines emphasize two statutory criteria: intellectual merit and broader national impact. Projects perceived as narrowly focused on specific groups or ideological goals are less likely to receive funding under this framework.

The Human and Academic Impact

The grant terminations have reverberated across ASU’s campus, affecting faculty, students, and community partners. Liliana Caughman, an assistant professor and senior global futures scientist at ASU, shared her experience with KJZZ in May 2025. Her $1.5 million grant, “Weaving Relations,” which supported graduate-level education for Indigenous and Latine students, was among those canceled. “It was really hard and really sad,” Caughman said, describing the emotional toll of informing students and staff about the abrupt end to the program. “We were grieving and couldn’t really let ourselves feel those feelings because the students are our highest priority.”

For students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, the loss of these programs could limit access to specialized training and mentorship. The “Black Girls as Creators” project, for example, provided hands-on AI education to young women who might otherwise lack exposure to STEM fields. Similarly, the “Accessible Computational Thinking” grant supported elementary students in culturally diverse contexts, fostering early interest in science and technology.

Faculty members like Timothy Long, a professor at ASU’s School of Molecular Sciences, have also felt the impact. Long told Cronkite News in March 2025 that he was instructed to remove all DEI-related language from a pending NSF grant application. His research, focused on sustainable macromolecular materials, included a secondary goal of engaging underserved groups—a common practice under previous NSF guidelines. The removal of such language could limit the inclusivity of future projects, potentially narrowing the pipeline of diverse talent in STEM.

ASU’s Response and Adaptation

Despite the challenges, ASU is taking steps to adapt to the new funding landscape. The university, known for its innovative approach to higher education, is exploring alternative funding sources, including private philanthropy and industry partnerships. The ASU Foundation, which has raised millions to support the university’s mission, is intensifying efforts to secure donations for research and student programs. A recent $5 million gift from the Beus family, announced in 2025, will provide scholarships for 72 students in ASU’s new School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering, demonstrating the potential of private support to fill funding gaps.

ASU is also reevaluating its research priorities to align with the NSF’s updated criteria. Faculty are being encouraged to frame proposals in terms of universal STEM advancement, emphasizing technological innovation and economic impact. For example, ASU’s Biodesign Center for Sustainable Macromolecular Materials and Manufacturing, led by Timothy Long, is focusing on cutting-edge materials research with applications in industries like aerospace and healthcare—areas likely to resonate with the NSF’s new priorities.

The Broader Context: Arizona and Beyond

ASU’s experience is part of a larger trend affecting universities across the United States. The Urban Institute reported in July 2025 that NSF cancellations have disproportionately impacted certain regions, with Arizona’s Fourth Congressional District, home to ASU, losing over $26 million. Nationwide, congressional districts like Massachusetts’s Fifth (home to Harvard University) and Colorado’s Second (home to the University of Colorado Boulder) have faced significant cuts, with losses of $165 million and $29 million, respectively.

The debate over these cuts extends beyond academia, touching on broader questions about the role of science in society. Critics argue that the emphasis on “universal” STEM advancement risks marginalizing underrepresented groups, who have historically faced barriers in accessing scientific careers. Supporters, however, contend that the focus on merit-based research will drive innovation and economic growth, benefiting all Americans.

Looking Ahead

As ASU navigates this funding shift, the university faces both challenges and opportunities. The loss of $28.5 million in NSF grants is a significant blow, but it also underscores ASU’s resilience and adaptability. By leveraging its reputation as a hub of innovation, the university is well-positioned to secure new funding and continue its mission of advancing knowledge and opportunity.

For researchers like Caughman and Long, the path forward involves balancing institutional priorities with the needs of their students and communities. For students, particularly those impacted by the canceled programs, the focus is on finding new pathways to pursue their education and careers. And for the broader academic community, the NSF’s policy shift serves as a reminder of the dynamic interplay between politics, science, and education.

As the dust settles on these cancellations, ASU’s response will likely set a precedent for how universities adapt to changing federal priorities. Whether through private funding, strategic realignment, or advocacy for inclusive research, ASU is poised to remain a leader in shaping the future of American higher education.