As the school year ends, talks of the future and university fill the halls. Students excitedly swap college plans and compare majors, dreaming of new beginnings and the promise of discovery. But recently, an uneasy tension hums beneath the excitement, especially amongst aspiring scientists. News of deep federal budget cuts has cast a shadow over those hoping to build a career in higher education.
On March 15, the Trump Administration proposed and has begun enacting a variety of budget cuts on research funding across several federal agencies. This includes cutting 18 billion from the National Institute of Health, 12 billion from the Department of Education, and over 5 billion from the national science foundation, and more.
The justification for these cuts are due to the government attempting to streamline the government and reducing what the administration deemed wasteful spending. These budget cuts could allow for a simplification of the research process and reduce administrative overhead, which could lead to a better use of taxpayer dollars. They may also lead to a re-evaluation of research priorities, possibly leading to a shift in focus to the most important areas.
To Universities across the US, however, this move feels like an attack on the nations’ scientific and educational future. Many of these institutions rely on federal funding and research grants in order to conduct research and support graduate programs. The uncertainty surrounding these grants, which are all under heightened review, has prompted widespread concern across the academic community. One of the most notable cases of resistance came from Harvard University, which filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration in early April, accusing them of violating multiple federal statutes.
Dr. Elaya, a former neuroscience researcher at Janelia Farms and a current teacher shares her thoughts, saying, “Research is expensive. When I was a researcher, government funding was never guaranteed, but we all had trust that science was valued. To me, these cuts are frankly insulting.”
Additionally, on May 28, dozens of US states filed a lawsuit in order to block Trump’s efforts to cut federal research funding. The suit claims the proposed budget undermines innovation, learning, and threatens long standing programs.
Mori Wills, a senior who plans to take the academic route in university, says, “To be honest, I’m scared. I’ve dreamed of being a researcher ever since I was in middle school, following in my parents footsteps, and I don’t want that opportunity to be taken away from me.”
Dr. Elaya echoes her concerns, “Teaching a research class, I get to see first hand all these blooming ideas, and to say I’m not at least a little concerned about the future of research would be a lie. But I have faith that science always prevails.”
The national conversations continue, with student led protests, op-eds, and academic leaders urging congress to reconsider. Meanwhile, universities are scrambling to pivot. The various lawsuits that are occurring are still under development.
