News Summary
The federal government has canceled 17 research grants at UNC Charlotte, resulting in a loss of over $14.3 million. These cuts impact research initiatives, particularly those focusing on marginalized populations such as the LGBTQ community, Black youth, and diversity programs. The terminations have raised concerns about the consequences of federal funding reductions on vital public health research, prompting researchers to explore various avenues for recourse against the funding cuts.
Charlotte, NC – The federal government has terminated 17 research grants at UNC Charlotte since January 2025, resulting in a loss of over $14.3 million in funding. The terminated grants affected a range of research areas, including initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes for the LGBTQ population, programs for elementary-age girls in STEM, and studies on mangrove forests in the Dominican Republic.
At least 10 of the terminated grants focused on specific demographics such as Black youth, individuals with disabilities, and diversity initiatives. Among these, four grants were confirmed to be terminated due to a partial focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Notably, a grant directed by researcher Annelise Mennicke, which aimed to study health outcomes in the LGBTQ community, was cut owing to changing agency priorities. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) stated that the award “no longer effectuates agency priorities,” contending that research on gender identity lacked scientific merit.
The termination of these grants comes on the heels of significant budget cuts to DEI initiatives by the Trump administration, totaling over $2.7 billion in federal funding cuts from the NIH alone since January 2025. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Education has similarly terminated funding for grants related to DEI.
While some funds had already been disbursed and spent, the termination of grants disrupts ongoing research efforts. Funding for many research projects is typically allocated for durations of up to three years. For instance, Mennicke’s team was in the sixth month of a three-year project when the grant was terminated, having already spent approximately $50,000.
Specific notable grants that were cut include a $296,284 award for the U.S.-ASEAN Green Building Education and Research Hub, a $1,726,370 grant for the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition, and a $469,069 grant for an LGBTQ-specific sexual violence peer support program. Another $1,062,034 grant aimed to enhance STEM exploration for gifted and high-ability Black girls, while $992,789 was allocated to a project focused on increasing diversity from doctoral to professoriate levels.
UNC Charlotte has made significant strides in research, doubling its research activity over the last decade and achieving “R1” research status, with research expenditures exceeding $92 million for the fiscal year 2023. However, the termination of these grants raises pressing concerns about the impact of federal funding cuts on research initiatives focused on marginalized populations and public health.
As a response to the abrupt grant terminations, Mennicke and her research team are exploring options for recourse, including potential appeals against the decisions. Furthermore, various lawsuits have been filed challenging the legitimacy of the terminations, asserting that these cuts significantly hinder important public health research.
The federal government’s recent actions pose broader implications for future research efforts that address the needs of marginalized communities, making it imperative for institutions like UNC Charlotte to navigate the challenges posed by changing funding landscapes in pursuit of their research objectives.
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Additional Resources
- Charlotte Observer
- Wikipedia: Research funding
- WBTV
- Google Search: UNC Charlotte research funding
- WSOC TV
- Google Scholar: diversity equity inclusion funding
- QC Nerve
- Encyclopedia Britannica: public health research
- Spectrum Local News
- Google News: federal funding cuts research
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