At least six Australian universities have had projects cancelled or put on pause as part of Trump’s America First agenda.

The US is Australia’s leading research partner, receiving roughly $400 million dollars in funding during 2024.

For weeks now, staff of US government departments have been “flagging” all current and recommended research awards involving foreign partners, causing likely delays for projects.

On Wednesday The Australian reported that Australian National University Vice-Chancellor Genevieve Bell alerted staff of a “termination” of funding from the US.

However it is unknown which of the ANU research projects fundings have been cut.

The Group of Eight (Go8), a company comprising Australia’s top researching universities, and has a number of established US partnerships between the United States and Australia, have also responded to the funding cuts.

“This is really concerning and the thin end of the wedge in terms of where it potentially could go,” Go8 CEO Vicki Thompson said.

As Australia’s biggest overseas funder, it is unknown how much of an impact this US cut will have on Australian universities.

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