The Environmental Protection Agency pulled a grant supporting Marina Vance’s research into countering health impacts of wildfire smoke, with the agency saying the work is now “no longer consistent” with its priorities. Vance had been studying interventions homeowners can use to reduce smoke exposure — a public health issue affecting many college towns and field research sites. The termination highlights how shifts in federal agency priorities can abruptly halt university‑led environmental health projects and leave researchers scrambling for alternate funds. Campus research offices and public‑health departments that rely on federal awards may need contingency plans and diversified funding strategies.