Funding Cuts and Policy Changes
The Trump administration's budget cuts and policy shifts have significantly impacted federal funding for scientific research, with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF) facing major cuts.
Executive orders banning federal grants for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work and halting grants due to alleged noncompliance have further strained research efforts, particularly in studying health disparities.
Global Competitiveness and Innovation Risks
Critics argue that the funding cuts and ideological missions threaten America's global scientific leadership and innovation, with potential long-term effects on economic growth and technological advancement.
The decline in federal investment in basic research, which has historically driven a significant portion of American economic growth, raises concerns about the future of U.S. prosperity and its ability to attract new researchers.