Trump Cuts Funding to Australian Universities: A Focus on America First

The Trump administration, now in its second term as of January 2025, has made a bold call: it’s pulling research grants from seven Australian universities. This move, rooted in the "America First" policy, prioritizes U.S. taxpayer dollars for domestic needs over international projects that don’t align with American values. With the U.S. facing a staggering national debt and its own pressing issues, the decision has sparked debate Down Under, where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is being pressed to hold an emergency meeting over the loss of up to $600 million in joint research funding.

Which Universities Lost Out?

The exact list of the seven universities isn’t fully public, but Australia’s elite Group of Eight (Go8) seems to be in the crosshairs. Likely candidates include:

- Monash University

- Australian National University (ANU)

- University of Melbourne

- University of Sydney

- University of New South Wales (UNSW)

- University of Western Australia (UWA)

A seventh, possibly the University of Queensland or University of Adelaide, rounds out the group. These research heavyweights are now feeling the pinch of a U.S. policy shift aimed at keeping American money at home.

Why the Cuts?

The decision hinges on a 36-point questionnaire sent to researchers, a practical step to ensure U.S. funds aren’t wasted on projects clashing with the administration’s goals. It asked about ties to nations like China or Russia and whether research pushed divisive topics like diversity programs or gender ideology—issues the U.S. is scaling back on domestically. With a national debt topping $35 trillion and crumbling infrastructure to fix, the Trump team argues it’s common sense to stop bankrolling foreign studies that don’t serve American interests. Universities that didn’t pass the test saw their grants cut, a move some in the U.S. see as long overdue.

Australia’s National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) has cried “political interference,” but from a U.S. perspective, it’s about accountability. Why should American taxpayers foot the bill for what critics call “woke” agendas abroad when there’s plenty to tackle stateside?

The Ripple Effect

The cuts hit hard financially. The U.S. pumped about $386 million into Australian research last year, a big chunk of their non-medical funding. With 25% of Australia’s biomedical papers tied to U.S. collaborators, the partnership’s been valuable—but not irreplaceable. The $600 million figure Australia’s tossing around sounds dramatic, yet it’s a fraction of what the U.S. could redirect to its own schools, hospitals, or roads.

Australia’s Pushback

Australian academics aren’t taking it quietly. The Australian Academy of Science and NTEU are urging Albanese to call an emergency meeting, worried about their research clout. They’re framing it as a crisis, with NTEU’s Alison Barnes demanding “protection” for researchers and the Academy’s Anna-Maria Arabia slamming the government for lagging on a response. They see it as U.S. meddling, but Trump supporters might argue it’s Australia’s job to fund its own priorities—not America’s.

Albanese hasn’t spoken up yet, though some suggest he look to Europe for cash instead. With pressure mounting, he might have to act soon.

America’s Call

The Trump administration’s decision reflects a shift in U.S. funding priorities. In 2024, the U.S. national debt reached $35.7 trillion, according to the U.S. Treasury Department, while federal spending on domestic infrastructure and education totaled over $1.2 trillion. The $386 million previously sent to Australian research in 2024 is a small but notable piece of the budget—money the administration now aims to redirect. By cutting grants to projects not matching its policy goals, the U.S. is focusing on domestic challenges, leaving Australia to adjust.