Scott Peek
Editorial Director Oliver Peck
While political debates rage over President Trump’s tariff policies or even his federal workforce reductions, economists and academic leaders are sounding the alarm about a far more consequential development: the drastic cuts to federal scientific research funding.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s devastating cuts block $47 billion annually to critical research on Alzheimer’s, heart disease and other conditions. The National Institute of Health has been forced to freeze or cancel numerous federal grants in recent weeks, creating immediate ripple effects throughout the scientific community.
Most concerning is a planned $4 billion reduction in funding for universities and research institutions. This would create unrepairable budget gaps for schools, severely restricting their research capacity. A lot of research would just have to stop with brutal hits to specialized expertise in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, environmental science and cancer research — areas where American leadership has historically driven global innovation.
In particular, anyone facing health challenges is greatly affected by these cuts. Reduced biomedical research leads to longer waits for treatments and slower scientific progress. The economic impact is equally concerning, with fewer specialized jobs available in research.
The effects are already visible. Research labs across the country have begun laying off workers and abandoning projects, including ongoing clinical trials. Prestigious institutions, including Harvard, Columbia, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania, have announced hiring freezes. Johns Hopkins University, one of America’s premier research institutions, recently announced 2,200 layoffs due to NIH funding reductions.
And while immediate impacts on student admissions may be limited, the long-term consequences for higher education are catastrophic. Universities typically try to compensate for lost research funding by reducing class sizes, increasing tuition and cutting financial aid and scholarships. Undergraduate research opportunities will become increasingly scarce as faculty scramble for limited funding, hindering future scientific breakthroughs.
America’s global scientific status is also at risk. For decades, its research universities have attracted the world’s brightest minds and been leaders in cutting-edge innovation. Now, international competitors sense opportunity. France and other nations have begun recruiting American scientists, promising a more welcoming environment. Top students out of high school or college may increasingly choose to study abroad where research funding is more stable.
The Trump administration sees research funding as an expense rather than an investment — yet, the economic argument for research funding can’t be overlooked. Studies from the National Center for American Progress show publicly funded R&D generates returns of 30 percent to 100 percent. American prosperity has historically been fueled by technological advancement, and federal cutbacks now put that legacy in jeopardy.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services, an independent federal agency that provides grants to libraries and museums nationwide, has been forced to close entirely, placing its staff on administrative leave. These cuts also jeopardize vital collaboration between universities and surrounding industries that rely on academic research, affecting nearby communities.
Congress must immediately restore research funding to provide stability for the scientific world — but this can’t be done without people speaking out.
Readers concerned about these developments need to contact their local representatives. Visit house.gov or senate.gov to find your elected officials and demand they prioritize research funding above all else.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. If these cuts remain in place, the U.S. risks a lost generation of researchers and innovators capable of addressing our most prominent challenges. The cures for cancer, solutions to climate change and technologies that will power our future economy hang in the balance. Our national security, economic competitiveness and public health depend on maintaining our commitment to scientific research. The time to act is now.