Safeguarding research

In April 2025, significant cuts to federal funding put vital Cornell research at risk, halting more than 140 research projects, leaving many projects, including those that make our world healthier and safer, at a standstill. These projects represent hope: hope for new medical breakthroughs, hope for stronger communities, and hope for a better tomorrow. Progress can’t wait for Washington. 

In response, the university launched the Provost’s Research Resiliency Fund in May to immediately help address gaps in research funding. Collectively, those gifts assisted 22 researchers who received award terminations —but many more still need support.

 “Research at Cornell changes lives and shapes our world, but just as important, it invests hope in a better tomorrow. Every dollar that supports discovery at Cornell brings our world closer to new cures, better and more ethical technologies and breakthroughs that build a more resilient future.” -Provost Kavita Bala "

Imagine a device the size of an AA battery that could save thousands of babies' lives. For over 20 years, Professor James Antaki has been developing PediaFlow - a revolutionary heart pump that gives hope to children born with life-threatening heart defects.Today, children with heart failure are tethered to large machines in hospitals, sometimes waiting a year or more for transplants.

 A 4-year-old patient has been hospital-bound since May, connected to a hockey puck-sized device just to stay alive. PediaFlow could change everything - allowing these children to play, go home, and live normal lives while waiting for a donor heart. Just as this life-changing technology was ready for human trials, the Department of Defense withdrew $6.5 million in promised funding. 

This setback threatens to delay bringing this vital device to the thousands of families who desperately need it.

Every week, middle school students from New York City's underserved communities gathered after school to learn vital life skills – cooking nutritious meals, exploring career paths, and building a healthier future for themselves and their families. This innovative 4-H program wasn't just changing lives in NYC; it was designed to become a national model. Through the Advanced Cooking Education (ACE) 4-H After School Club, 7th and 8th graders learned to prepare culturally diverse, plant-based meals with take-home groceries, while discovering exciting career opportunities in food science, urban agriculture, and technology. The program even brought students to Cornell's campus, opening their eyes to college possibilities.

In May, this transformative program came to an abrupt halt when federal funding was cut – including $990,000 in USDA grants and an additional $250,000 White House award. Professor Tashara M. Leak is now using her own faculty resources to keep this vital program alive, but without support, these opportunities for young people will disappear.

These stories represent just a few of the vital Cornell research projects at risk. From life-saving medical devices for infants to programs nurturing the next generation, hundreds of breakthrough discoveries hang in the balance. While federal funding remains uncertain, your support ensures that Cornell's most critical research continues uninterrupted. Every gift, of any size, helps bridge the gap and keeps hope alive for the countless people who depend on these innovations.

Want to learn more about the impact of Cornell research? Visit Cornell Research Resiliency to see how your gift makes a difference and explore the Cornell Chronicle's 'Research at Risk' series for more stories of life-changing discoveries that need your support today.