In a stunning move that has rocked Virginia’s higher education and research communities, the Trump administration has pulled nearly $300 million in federal health-related funding from universities across the state. Virginia Tech is among the hardest-hit, losing more than $21 million in crucial grant money.
The cuts are already sending shockwaves through the academic world, threatening jobs and jeopardizing groundbreaking research. At Virginia Tech, the funding loss endangers several key studies, including research into disordered eating among transgender youth and domestic violence in bisexual communities—projects that many argue are vital for public health and social progress.
Faculty and students are reeling as they scramble to find alternative funding sources. Critics are calling the move politically motivated and a direct attack on marginalized communities and progressive research initiatives.
As the academic year moves forward, questions remain: How will Virginia Tech recover? And what does this mean for the future of research freedom in the U.S.?
Stay tuned as we uncover the ripple effects of this controversial decision.
