The Sahel Research Group at the University of Florida joins colleagues around the world in “Standing up for Science” in the face of the current political challenges.
On 28 February 2025, with no advance notice, we were informed that our research grant from the U.S. Department of Defense Minerva Initiative on the impact of climate change on the Sahel region of West Africa would be terminated, with immediate effect.
Some twenty-six other research projects at universities across the country, and in some cases abroad, were also terminated. The only stated reason was that the grant “no longer effectuates Minerva program goals or DoD priorities.”
And yet, understanding the Sahel, which includes some of the most fragile countries on earth, has never been more important. The impact of climate change in the region is compounding other challenges, with significant implications for the region and the United States.
Beyond the core concern for human well-being, current problems are contributing to international migration, food insecurity, conflict and violence—all issues that spread beyond borders.
Complicating things further, the region is at the center of geo-strategic rivalry for political influence and access to key minerals and resources. Russia, China and other actors such as Turkey are seeking to displace American and European influence in the area.
As the only university-based research group focused specifically on this area, the UF Sahel Research Group is uniquely well placed to lead research on the complex interaction of these challenges.
Beyond our academic contributions, our work in the Minerva project has been praised and highlighted by the State Department, the Department of Defense, and other U.S. government and international agencies.
We are committed to finding ways to continue our research and engagement. Yet the termination of Minerva awards like ours signals the challenges faced by scientists around the world seeking to offer nuanced and contextually informed analysis of issues of global importance.