Commerce Department Reduces Support for Princeton’s Climate Programs by $4 Million

April 9, 2025 TruthUSA

Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick mentioned that one of the university’s programs “fosters fears” due to its emphasis on distressing climate scenarios.

The Commerce Department announced on Tuesday that it will reduce funding by nearly $4 million for Princeton University’s climate programs, which it claims are “no longer aligned” with the priorities of the Trump administration.

Secretary Lutnick has ordered the cessation of funding for three award programs at the university—the Cooperative Institute for Modeling the Earth System, Climate Risks and Interactive Sub-seasonal to Seasonal Predictability, and Advancing Prediction—as detailed in a statement.

Lutnick indicated that these programs are “no longer aligned” with the objectives of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and that halting their funding will reduce the size and expenditure of the federal government.

He asserted that the Cooperative Institute for Modeling the Earth System “fosters fears” by concentrating on alarming climate scenarios, rather than promoting rational and balanced discussions among young people.

The other two programs are focused on water availability fluctuations and the potential impacts of climate change, including alterations in precipitation patterns and sea-level rise.

“Utilizing federal funds to sustain these narratives does not align with the priorities of this Administration, and such time and resources can be better allocated elsewhere,” the department stated.

The department stated that this decision followed an in-depth review of its financial assistance programs in light of NOAA’s current objectives.

It also mentioned that the evaluation of remaining cooperative agreements, grant awards, and various financial support options will continue on an individual basis to prevent any unnecessary government spending.

Both Princeton University and NOAA did not respond to a request for comments by the time of publication.

This decision comes just a week after NASA, along with the Departments of Defense and Energy, suspended multiple research grants to Princeton University amid the Trump administration’s inquiry into campus anti-Semitism.

University President Christopher Eisgruber indicated in an April 1 email to the university community that the “full rationale for this action is not yet clear” but assured that the university would collaborate with the government to combat anti-Semitism.

“Princeton University will adhere to the law,” Eisgruber stated. “Princeton will also aggressively defend academic freedom and the rights to due process within this institution.”

Princeton is among 60 elite institutions currently under federal scrutiny for anti-Semitism on campuses, a situation intensified by the Israel-Hamas conflict, which escalated following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

In the meantime, Harvard University announced on Tuesday its intention to borrow $750 million from Wall Street via taxable bonds while awaiting review of its federal funding. Other institutions, including Stanford University and the University of Pennsylvania, have also made significant debt offerings this year. Princeton University has indicated it may follow suit.

Bill Pan contributed to this report.

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