By The Keystone Newspaper H2O and H2S programs lose their funding
By John Mahoney
At the start of the 2024–2025 academic year, KU received a $375,000 grant for NASA’s Here to Observe (H2O) and Here to Storytell (H2S) programs, initiatives designed to connect students with professionals in STEM fields. However, following the recent termination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs nationwide, initiated under the Trump administration, the grant was placed on hold.
As of Sunday, March 23, the grant has been officially marked as terminated. This decision is currently under appeal. At present, the H2O program is the only federally funded grant at KU facing such conflict.
Originally, the H2O and H2S programs were intended to offer students five years of experience, including opportunities to attend planetary science conferences and work alongside NASA scientists. Now, the programs have ended prematurely, cutting students off before completing even one full year.
According to Dr. Erin Kraal, one of the program heads at KU, students are still able to engage minimally with their H2O mentors. However, major events, such as the planned trip to the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Houston, Texas, have been canceled. Of the $75,000 awarded for the first year, KU received only approximately $1,500 before the program’s termination, losing access to the remaining benefits.
Kraal also noted that there are no remaining funds to compensate her or fellow professor Donna DeMarco for their work on the project.
The 14 students who participated in the H2O and H2S programs have expressed mixed feelings about the situation. Moraima Ramos Jimenez, one of the students, shared her disappointment regarding the abrupt changes.
“There was a very large buildup, and then everything just kind of crashed. When I found out we’d no longer be able to attend the conference in Houston, I didn’t even know how to feel,” said Jimenez. “We were all angry and confused. But we were working with the Perseverance rover, and it made me think—we ourselves need to persevere as well.”
According to Jimenez, while students are still meeting with their H2O mentors, any further research opportunities or travel funded by the grant have been canceled.
At KU, DEI initiatives support a wide range of students, including students of color, transfer students, and those in need of financial assistance. The 2024 NASA grant was intended to create access for students who might otherwise not have the opportunity to participate in programs like H2O. KU has historically benefited from similar programs that support educational equity through DEI funding.
“I believe in education and research. I see this whole process as a major form of discrimination,” Jimenez said. “Taking away opportunities and privileges, such as these, that are given to students of color is unfair. These are opportunities for students to have hands-on experience with research and further their education, and now it’s being taken away. It’s sad that we’re the first and last group for H2O.”
The Trump administration is currently facing numerous lawsuits over the cancellation of DEI programs in schools. Some states with more Democratic leadership have refused to comply with the administration’s directives. Additionally, the administration is in the process of dismantling the Department of Education, prompting protests and advocacy efforts from students across the country.
“I’m scared about the future of education. As a person of color myself, it’s hard enough to find equal opportunity in academics. But now, I’m afraid this may put students in general in a dangerous position,” Jimenez added.
Despite the challenges, Jimenez emphasized that she remains hopeful about the future.
“I’m grateful to at least still be in touch with my NASA mentor, and I still have a strong passion for STEM,” she said. “I believe that even if it takes a few years, students will be able to have the same experience I did and see it through.”