TL/DR –
The Trump administration has made significant cuts to scientific research in the US, firing thousands of government scientists, terminating research grants and slashing funding for universities. The administration plans to propose even larger cuts for the 2026 budget, including reducing the National Institutes of Health’s science budget by 40%. These actions have led to widespread concern amongst scientists, with 94% of respondents to a Nature reader survey stating they were worried about the future of science in the country and the same proportion saying the Trump administration’s science policies will have negative effects on the world.
US Government Science Support Under Threat
President Donald Trump’s second term aims to make significant reductions in science funding, leaving the country’s research institutions and progress in a precarious position. His administration has already severed thousands of government scientists, stopping considerable research and clinical trials across the US. Moreover, plans to enormously reduce funding for US research universities are in place, affecting more than 1,000 grants in key areas including climate change, Alzheimer’s disease, and HIV prevention.
Upcoming Budget Bill Poses Further Threats
The April 10 budget bill greenlit by Congress could lead to extensive spending cuts over the next decade. Furthermore, the proposal for the 2026 budget is likely to include substantial reductions in science investments across the federal government. This includes plans to halve NASA’s science budget and decrease NIH spending by 40%. Additionally, the administration’s strict immigration measures are causing distress among students and researchers, with concerns that these measures may lead to a decline in international research opportunities in the US.
Concerns for the Future of Science
The proposed dismantling of scientific institutions and research structures is causing major concerns for the future of science in the US. In a recent survey, 94% of the 1,600 respondents stated they were worried about the future of science in the country. Moreover, the same number expressed concerns that the Trump administration’s science policies would negatively affect the world. Such actions risk setting the United States back for decades, warns John Holdren, a science adviser to former US president Barack Obama.
Effects on Universities
With the Trump administration’s aggressive actions, universities are finding themselves in an increasingly challenging situation. These institutions are grappling with threats of funding cuts, grant cancellations, elimination of diversity initiatives, and the detention of foreign-born students and scholars. The proposed changes could significantly disrupt research efforts and result in a drastic reduction in the ability of universities to conduct research.
Outlook
Science-policy experts assert that the withdrawal of government funding and the potential dissolution of key research institutions could lead to irreversible damage to US science. These actions risk not only the future of a generation of scientists but also the long-standing partnership between government and higher education. The proposed 2026 budget will be a crucial determinant of the future of federal science and innovation investments.
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