Turn to Europe, Go8 universities urge, as US issues ‘show cause’ letters

Top research universities ask the government to ‘strengthen funding ties with Europe’ as Trump administration asks research collaborators to declare links to China and if they comply with DEI policies.

The Trump administration has sent 'show cause' notifications to Australian universities, asking them to declare links to China and if they comply with Donald Trump's two-gender policy.

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Top universities are calling on the government to strengthen research ties with Europe after US federal agencies sent ‘show cause’ notifications directly to their Australian research collaborators with questions about their links to China and their alignment with Donald Trump’s executive order on there being only two-sexes.

Go8 universities, which carry out 70 per cent of Australia’s university research and list the US as its “single largest collaborative research partner”, have sought Australian government intervention on what they called a “show cause” questionnaire “to justify ongoing funding”.

Researchers were asked to return it within 48 hours and told it would help support “program determinations”.

Go8, which include the University of Sydney, ANU and the University of Melbourne, are also seeking urgent guidance from “the US government at the highest levels” including an extension of time to “appropriately … respond to the requirements”. Group of Eight CEO Vicki Thompson said it was “more important than ever” to boost Australia-Europe relations.

“Australia must double down on getting a seat at the table to access the world’s largest research fund, Horizon Europe,” she said.

“Associate membership to Horizon Europe – the EU’s €95.5bn ($165bn) flagship research and innovation program – will not only deliver important economic and social benefits, it will strengthen the Australian-European partnership.

“It’s now more important than ever that we get back to the negotiation table on the stalled Australian-European Free Trade Agreement.”

Group of Eight CEO Vicki Thompson.

The US government under Mr Trump ordered a funding freeze on National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants in February, which was temporarily blocked by the Federal Court.

Go8 universities received around $US161.6m ($256m) in grants from the NIH in the last financial year, which was 88 per cent of all NIH funding to Australian universities. The NIH falls under Robert F. Kennedy’s health portfolio.

The administration also cancelled 33 research grants investigating vaccine hesitancy and will review mRNA vaccine projects.

Some of those researchers sent the ‘show cause’ notification worked in the areas of vaccine and medicine, as well as defence and aid.

“Go8 universities are deeply engaged in collaborative activities with the US, especially through our defence initiatives and the AUKUS alliance. Our universities have enjoyed a longstanding relationship with the US and for every one of our members, the US is the largest research partner by far. We engage in numerous projects funded by US funding agencies,” Ms Thompson said.

One question in the form asks: “Can you confirm that your organisation has not received ANY funding from PRC [People’s Republic of China] (including Confucius Institutes and/or partnered with Chinese state and non-state actors), Russia, Cuba or Iran.”

Many Australian universities partner with China on research projects.

There were also questions about diversity, equity and inclusion, including whether research projects comply with an executive order to only recognise two sexes, amid an edict from Mr Trump to ban DEI programs at colleges.

Another question asks: “Can you confirm that your organisation does not work with entities associated with communist, socialist or totalitarian parties, or any party that espouses anti-American beliefs.”

Universities Australia CEO Luke Sheehy said that it would “always advocate for open and collaborative research that benefits Australia and our international partners, and work closely with the government to ensure our universities can keep doing world-class research”.