This year’s sweeping federal grant terminations and policy changes disrupted established research relationships and eroded trust between investigators and federal agencies. Multiple institutions reported sudden funding disruptions tied to novel enforcement priorities, prompting concern across science and engineering faculties about long-term project viability and national research capacity. The episode prompted renewed debate about the federal role in shaping campus policy, the stability of multi-year research funding, and how institutions should manage politically driven reviews. University leaders and researchers say restoring predictable funding practices will be essential to retain talent, maintain labs, and preserve collaborations that support both basic science and workforce training.