President Trump’s policies have resulted in layoffs at agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF) Scientists worry that if these cuts continue, the US could lose its competitive edge in areas such as cancer treatment, climate science, and quantum computing. A federal judge recently blocked a Trump administration proposal to cut $4 billion from NIH, but uncertainty remains about whether similar cuts will be implemented across other agencies. Many fear the long-term effects of reduced federal support, with Holden Thorp, editor-in-chief of Science, warning that universities may scale back research if government funding is withdrawn. Despite these challenges, some see signs of resilience. Kelly Cronin, a geology professor at Georgia State University’s Perimeter College, cited the creation of a School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability at Georgia Southern University as evidence that scientific research continues to find support in unexpected places. The New York Times concludes that as federal funding faces unprecedented threats, the future of US scientific leadership hangs in the balance.
