Connor Phillips, a research fellow at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), was born three months premature with cerebral palsy. The scientific advancements that saved his life inspired him to pursue a career studying brain processes. Phillips had aspirations to continue his research at NIH through a collaboration with Brown University, which would lead to a doctorate in neuroscience. However, the Trump administration’s budget cuts have resulted in the suspension of NIH’s training programs.
Phillips is now seeking other programs, hopeful that future policy changes will revive support for scientific endeavors. “You take jobs with lower pay, taxing hours, and high stress because you care about helping others and turning our passion for science into real-world improvements in people’s lives,” Phillips commented.
Federal funding reductions for research under President Trump have diminished chances for budding scientists, closing off opportunities for career-advancing projects and further education. Universities are scaling back graduate admission offers amid uncertainties. Many institutions have also implemented hiring freezes due to federal funding threats linked to their management of issues ranging from antisemitism complaints to diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies.
A Duke University research technician, Mira Polishook, was recently informed by one program that “government decisions” prevented her admission. She applied for the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship for three years of funding, but the timing for award announcements remains unclear, leaving her apprehensive about the agency’s future funding ability.
Although NIH funding cuts face a legal challenge from 22 states and various university and research bodies, the uncertainty has already stalled some projects. These institutions also face delays and grant cuts from USAID and NSF. According to Emilya Ventriglia, president of the union representing around 5,000 early career NIH researchers, graduate program admissions have been halved or halted altogether.
Ventriglia, whose research examines the brain’s reaction to antidepressants, has faced disruptions. She cannot proceed with recruiting another researcher she planned to mentor and fears new purchasing restrictions and staff reductions will hinder her ability to acquire necessary reagents for experiments.
“This situation may have lasting impacts,” stated Levin Kim, president of a union for 8,000 academic workers at the University of Washington.
Financial and emotional strains are growing for those navigating these uncertainties. “I love my work, it’s all I want to do,” said Natalie Antenucci, a first-year grad student at the University of North Carolina whose research is supported by NIH. “But I can’t continue without funding.”
Amid these challenges, some U.S. students are considering educational institutions abroad. Marleigh Hutchinson, a future graduate of Kansas State University, finds prospects in the U.S. dim due to uncertainty, despite her desire to work internationally on food and water security.
Last month, Hutchinson received news that funding was cut for a USAID-funded lab focused on improving crop resilience against drought in warmer climates. Nicole Lefore, associate director at the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska, shared that they had to withdraw an offer to host a doctoral candidate from Ghana and others after losing USAID funding.
Lefore expressed concern over the diplomatic impact, notably with agriculture ministers educated through USAID programs at U.S. land grant universities. She emphasized that these educational and agricultural opportunities helped forge scientific and diplomatic connections crucial for soft diplomacy.
Flooded with inquiries about repercussions, Lefore remarked, “The only winner here might be China, as the alienated countries may turn elsewhere.”
