Overview

• The Trump administration has implemented a policy requiring U.S.-funded international research projects to align with American political and ideological goals, including opposition to DEI and environmental justice.
• Seven Australian universities have reported researchers receiving questionnaires probing their compliance with U.S. standards, with some facing funding freezes or terminations.
• The Canadian Association of University Teachers and the Australian Academy of Science have criticized the measures as undermining academic freedom and called on their governments to develop independent funding mechanisms.
• Some researchers who complied with the Trump administration's questionnaire have had their funding reinstated, while others who resisted have faced terminations.
• The U.S. is a significant research partner for both Canada and Australia, making the funding freezes impactful and fueling concerns about foreign interference in academic research.