Following the Trump administration’s decision to halt federal funding due to claims of political bias, the University of Maryland’s research center focusing on terrorism data is now on the hunt for private donations.

The National Consortium for Researching Terrorism and Responding to Terrorism (Start) has reported that nearly all of its grants and cooperation agreements from the federal government have been revoked. This group, known for its close ties with law enforcement, has reached out for temporary donations to support “targeted violence” research, which includes concerns over “anti-immigrant” ideologies—particularly referencing an assassination attempt on President Trump in Pennsylvania.

A DHS official stated, “The Department of Homeland Security has terminated Start funding because of biased and misleading data practices. Start’s so-called ‘terrorism and target violence’ database was linked to President Trump’s ‘anti-immigrant’ perspectives but overlooked anti-Israel violence on campuses and appeared to overemphasize right-wing ideologies while minimizing left-wing extremism.”

Start has not offered any comments on the matter.

Officials referenced past issues, such as the inclusion of peaceful pro-life activists in a federal “Radicalization” database, alongside organizations like the Ku Klux Klan and Al Qaeda. A “terrorist group” label was withdrawn for a pro-life group after they threatened legal action, underscoring concerns over labeling peaceful activities as terrorism.

A DHS official added, “This approach, such as branding pro-life groups as ‘terrorists,’ weakens national security and misrepresents law enforcement.” Start’s website mentions it’s at a “critical inflection point,” indicating instability in its two-decade history, as federal funding cuts have intensified.

Recent cuts amount to millions of dollars, representing around 40% of the annual budget, as noted by the DCNF. The database aimed to provide a comprehensive timeline of extremist violence in the U.S, but has drawn criticism for the type of incidents included—for instance, labeling LGBTQ flag burnings as violence while omitting certain anti-Israel campus actions.

Before the Trump administration pulled its support, the DHS had funneled over $3.5 million into the project. In a press release, the department stressed the need to eliminate unnecessary spending, marking a shift in counter-terrorism funding priorities.

Start, now facing the need to switch to a subscription model for its terrorism and targeted violence projects, is urging donors to contribute swiftly. They plan to reveal more details about subscription tiers and pricing, supporting a transition to stable funding.

Much of Start’s focus has been on right-wing extremists, including groups supportive of Trump and “Qanon” followers. This has led to criticisms from national security experts regarding the accuracy of their radicalization studies, especially given how they categorize peaceful activists as extremists.

Founded by the DHS in 2005, Start claims it will continue seeking available federal funding opportunities while inviting partnerships to navigate these challenging times.