Trump administration asked to explain after Australian universities told to justify US-funded research grants The federal government is asking the Trump administration for more information after Australian researchers were sent questionnaires asking them to justify American research grants.

The tertiary education union called it "blatant political interference" and the Group of Eight representative body said it was "extremely concerned".

Major research positions within the Trump administration are yet to be filled, but may be in a position to provide further clarity once installed ...

... Now researchers and academics at Australian universities and institutions working on projects jointly funded by American agencies have been swept up in the chaos.

Last week US agencies sent some of those Australian researchers what appears to be a global notice, asking them to justify their funding, as well as a questionnaire grilling them on a host of issues — including their links with China and the Trump administration's edicts recognising only two sexes.

The document also asks them to confirm if they've received "ANY funding from the PRC" or Chinese state actors, and asks what steps they've taken against "Christian persecution" or to "protect women and to defend against gender ideology." ...

... The Group of Eight, which represents Australia's major universities, said the freeze had already had a major impact, and the US had now "suspended or terminated research grants with six of the eight member universities." ...