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UTEP Leadership Decisions Result in Loss of $160 Million Aerospace Grant

El Paso Matters•Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 4:00 PM•Daniel Perez and Robert Moore

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El Paso's ambitions for a thriving aerospace industry faced a significant setback when UTEP's leadership decisions led to the loss of a crucial $160 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Originally awarded to support defense and aerospace manufacturing, the grant was suspended in April 2024 due to concerns raised by UTEP President Heather Wilson regarding the application’s integrity. An internal audit claimed inaccuracies in the proposal, which were later disputed by the principal investigator, Ahsan Choudhuri. The NSF ultimately terminated the grant in August 2025, jeopardizing not only this funding but also a subsequent $40 million grant from the Biden Administration. This situation has left local businesses, like PROD Aerospace, without opportunities for growth, highlighting the impact of internal conflicts at UTEP on El Paso's economic development.

Key Details: • NSF suspended the $160 million grant on April 25, 2024. • The grant was officially terminated in August 2025. • Ahsan Choudhuri was demoted amid the controversy surrounding the grant applications. • A subsequent $40 million grant is also at risk due to UTEP's management issues.

utep grant economic-development aerospace national-science-foundation

People & Organizations

UTEPEl Paso CountyHeather WilsonAhsan ChoudhuriFabens AirportNational Science FoundationPablo RodriguezPROD Design & Analysis

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