Australian researchers who collaborate with US federal agencies have been asked to declare links to China and if they comply with Donald Trump’s two-gender policy, sparking fears their funding could be cut if they fall foul of his anti-DEI, America First agenda.

In recent weeks, a 36-point questionnaire was sent directly to Australians who conduct joint research with US partners in fields as diverse as foreign aid, medicine, vaccines and defence. The questionnaire circumvented university leaders and administrators and, in at least one instance gave a 48-hour deadline, according to sources who have seen the correspondence but were not authorised to speak publicly.