March 25, 2025: The Trump administration has canceled a grant to Western Michigan University (WMU) intended for climate change research, according to university officials. The U.S. State Department informed the university that the cancellation was due to “changing priorities of the administration.”
Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Grant Canceled
The grant in question was a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence award, which would have funded the visit of Javier Becerril García, a professor from the Autonomous University of Yucatán in Mexico. García was set to collaborate with WMU on climate change research, particularly in the area of regenerative agriculture, an expertise tied to Mayan communities in southern Mexico. These communities face heightened vulnerability to climate change due to poverty, marginalization, and biodiversity loss.
Allen Webb, a professor at WMU and a member of its Climate Change Working Group, expressed his surprise at the cancellation. Having worked with the Fulbright Scholar Program for 20 years, Webb said he had never seen a grant “cherry-picked” for cancellation before and is unaware of any similar cancellations at other universities. Webb is now working with WMU’s legal team to explore options for addressing the cancellation.
Impact on Research and Collaboration
García’s visit was part of a broader initiative to foster collaboration between Mexico and the United States on climate change. Under the grant, García was scheduled to stay at WMU for a year, co-teach a class on the social and cultural dimensions of climate change, and work with local community groups. His work would have also focused on advancing communication and collaboration between Indigenous nations.
Mia Breznau, a former member of the Ardea Youth Climate Leadership program in Kalamazoo, expressed disappointment that García’s visit had been canceled before it even began. “Before we could even begin, he was gone,” Breznau said.
Broader Concerns Over Climate Policy Rollbacks
The cancellation of the Fulbright grant is just one of many steps taken by the Trump administration in rolling back climate change regulations. Since taking office, the administration has dismantled several key protections aimed at reducing pollution and mitigating the effects of climate change. These include actions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) targeting regulations on greenhouse gas emissions.
Dee Sherwood, a WMU social work professor and adviser to the university’s Native American Student Organization, described the cancellation as “profoundly disappointing.” Sherwood emphasized the rarity of having a scholar focused on Indigenous science in residence at WMU and noted that students would have benefitted greatly from learning about Mayan agricultural practices and the cultural dimensions of climate change.
Next Steps for WMU
Although the specific amount of the grant was not disclosed, the cancellation represents a significant loss for both WMU and the broader climate change research community. With García’s visit now uncertain, the university will continue to explore possible avenues to maintain and develop its climate change initiatives.
