Apr 8, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Trump admin cuts funding to Princeton University over climate programs

Sareen Habeshian

Students walk on campus at Princeton University on February 4, 2020 in Princeton, New Jersey. The university said over 100 students, faculty, and staff who recently traveled to China must 'self-isolate' themselves for 14 days to contain any possible exposure to the novel coronavirus. (Photo by Willi — Students walk on campus at Princeton University on February 4, 2020, in Princeton, New Jersey. Photo: William Thomas Cain/Getty Images

The Trump administration is pulling nearly $4 million in funding from Princeton University, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced Tuesday.

The big picture: The cuts come days after the administration already paused dozens of Princeton's research grants following similar federal funding reviews or revocations at other Ivy League schools like Columbia and Harvard.

Driving the news: The Department of Commerce said awards, including those pertaining to climate risks and global warming, "are no longer aligned with the program objectives of NOAA" and are "no longer in keeping with the Trump Administration's priorities."

One such project is focused on the fluctuation of water availability as a result of global warming.
"Using federal funds to perpetuate these narratives does not align with the priorities of this Administration and such time and resources can be better utilized elsewhere," the department said.

Zoom in: Tuesday's funding block comes "after a detailed, careful, and thorough review" of the Commerce Department's financial assistance programs to its subagency's, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), current program objectives.

Ending the programs "will streamline and reduce the cost and size of the Federal Government, consistent with President Trump's promise for his Administration," the department said.
Representatives for Princeton, NOAA and the Commerce Department did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment in the evening.

Go deeper: Princeton University grants pulled, president says

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Trump admin cuts funding to Princeton University over climate programs

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