LINCOLN — The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s effort to grow interest in engineering careers among rural students has hit a roadblock after a key federal grant was unexpectedly canceled.
In recent years, UNL’s College of Engineering has been expanding outreach to high schools in rural parts of Nebraska. The goal: spark student interest in engineering, computing, and construction careers, and provide clearer pathways to those opportunities. Dean Lance Pérez said that while the university has historically focused recruitment in Lincoln and Omaha, workforce demands now require a broader approach. “We can’t just rely on the natural pipeline; we have to build one,” he said.
This year, UNL established a community advisory group to support those efforts. But last month, the $1.2 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant funding the project was abruptly cut. The termination came amid the Trump administration’s push to roll back federal support for programs labeled under diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Though the administration has framed these cuts as efforts to eliminate discrimination, UNL officials argue that many of the impacted programs—including this one—are designed to support underserved rural students, not just urban or minority populations. The Nebraska Engineering Inclusive Excellence Center, funded by the grant, aimed to close opportunity gaps and provide academic supports like tutoring and counseling.
Pérez called the cancellation overly broad. “If this had been reviewed more closely, I think they would’ve seen it aligned with national workforce priorities.”
UNL’s losses didn’t stop there. The university’s “ACT UP” project—designed to modernize math instruction across six universities—was also terminated. Wendy Smith, a UNL research professor involved in the project, said the goal was to move away from traditional lecture-based teaching and help instructors better connect with diverse student populations, including first-generation students and adult learners.
Smith criticized the manner of the termination. An email sent to a generic grants office address stated the funding “no longer aligns with priorities” and could not be appealed—an approach she described as unprecedented and “blatantly illegal.”
Since January, the university has lost over 70 federal research grants totaling nearly $92 million, according to NU President Jeff Gold. Another $60 million has been lost through reductions in federal support for university facilities and administration.
Despite the challenges, both Pérez and Smith say their teams remain committed. UNL is seeking new funding sources to keep programs going, particularly those focused on rural outreach. “We can’t abandon our commitment to rural communities,” Pérez said. Smith echoed that the mission remains unchanged: “We’re trying to help more students succeed in math—especially those who’ve historically been left behind.”
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