Following the implementation of a new NSF policy mandating grant alignment with agency priorities, a funding freeze affecting all new and existing grants was enacted. This freeze, coupled with the recent termination of approximately 1,040 grants totaling $739 million, has caused widespread concern and uncertainty within the scientific community. The policy, described as potentially detrimental to the established merit review process, has prompted at least one program officer to resign. Scientists fear the long-term consequences of this funding disruption, particularly given proposed drastic budget cuts in future years.
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A Nature poll reveals that over 75% of 1,650 responding scientists are considering leaving the US due to the Trump administration’s actions. This exodus is especially prevalent among early-career researchers, with a significant portion of postgraduate students and PhD candidates planning to relocate, primarily to Europe and Canada. The administration’s cuts to research funding, mass firings of federal scientists, and crackdowns on immigration have created widespread uncertainty and disruption within the US research community. Many scientists cite a lack of support for their fields of research, coupled with the competitive nature of securing alternative funding, as primary drivers for their decision to leave.
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The Trump administration is scrutinizing Australian scientific collaborations, sending questionnaires to over a dozen universities and the CSIRO, querying funding sources, project alignment with US interests (including stances on gender and climate change), and national security concerns. This follows US funding cuts to several Australian universities, impacting approximately $600 million in annual research funding. The Australian government, while acknowledging the situation’s severity and the potential impact on crucial joint research projects, is currently awaiting further clarification from the US, stating that directly replacing US funding is impractical. Concerns are growing regarding the long-term implications for Australia’s strategic research and development capabilities.
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The National Science Foundation (NSF) terminated approximately 168 employees, representing roughly 10% of its workforce, citing President Trump’s executive order mandating federal workforce reduction. The firings disproportionately affected probationary and temporary employees, including program officers crucial for grant management and research oversight. Many terminated employees reported exemplary performance records, leading to accusations of unfounded dismissals and concerns about the legality of the actions. This mass termination is expected to significantly hinder the NSF’s ability to manage its $9 billion budget and support crucial scientific research.
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John Q. Hosedrinker