Physics professor Andrew Rice had already selected the 10 undergraduate students who would conduct geoscience research at Portland State University this summer.
Past interns had tracked atmospheric rivers to help the National Weather Service better forecast storms and tested do-it-yourself air filters, finding the most effective designs to recommend to Oregonians during wildfires. The 10-week summer program was the first time many of these emerging scientists would have the opportunity to research.
Then, one Friday in April, Rice received a short email from the program’s funder, the National Science Foundation. Their recently renewed federal grant had been terminated, with no explanation beyond a statement that it “no longer effectuate(d) the program goals or agency priorities.”…