- Over 1,900 National Academies members warn of science policy erosion
- Federal science workforce faces 20% reduction through layoffs and buyouts
- NIH cancels 15+ LGBTQ+ health studies citing priority alignmentconcerns
Prominent U.S. researchers have issued an urgent warning about systemic threats to America's scientific infrastructure. A coalition of 1,900+ scientists from elite institutions claims recent policy changes could permanently damage critical research programs. The open letter follows controversial layoffs at health agencies and abrupt termination of peer-reviewed studies.
Health and Human Services (HHS) has eliminated nearly 10,000 positions since March 2025 through workforce reductions. Clinical trials at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) face particular scrutiny, with 17 active studies on LGBTQ+ health outcomes abruptly defunded. University of Michigan researchers lost a $2.3 million grant examining transgender mental health disparities days before data collection began.
Three critical industry trends emerge from this crisis. First, pharmaceutical companies report increased collaboration with European research consortia to offset domestic funding instability. Second, China's science budget recently surpassed $420 billion annually compared to U.S. cuts. Third, Ivy League schools now allocate 18% of endowment income to preserve canceled federal projects.
The administration defends its actions as necessary government streamlining. A White House spokesperson stated: We're prioritizing research that directly benefits American families.However, canceled projects included Alzheimer's prevention studies and climate change modeling used by agricultural regulators.
Regional impacts are already visible in tech corridors. Boston's Kendall Square reports 14% vacancy rates in lab spaces as biotech startups struggle to secure grants. Conversely, Berlin's Charité Institute has recruited 23 U.S.-based cancer researchers since January through its €500 million transatlantic initiative.
Experts warn the policy shifts could create permanent knowledge gaps. Clinical trials take decades to rebuild,notes Johns Hopkins epidemiologist Dr. Alicia Tan. Terminating longitudinal studies wastes years of patient participation and jeopardizes future medical breakthroughs.
With 35% of federal researchers considering career changes, the letter urges immediate course correction. Signatories propose creating bipartisan science oversight committees and legislation protecting peer-reviewed funding allocations. As global competitors accelerate investments, America's scientific dominance hangs in the balance.
