Year of Destruction: What We Can Expect from the Trump Presidency and What we Should Do About It (Pt. 2 - Research)
Article by Liliana Zavin
As the second Trump Administration is now underway, the destruction that it plans to unleash becomes more imminent. In this series of articles, I hope to provide some clarity on the plans that Trump has going into office, how he takes action on them throughout his first year, and the steps that America’s youth can take to protect our families, communities, and to continue the fight for justice.
When President Trump was sworn into office, he announced his plans to make massive cuts to funding across the US government. One area where these cuts are targeted is research, specifically scientific research. Throughout its history, the United States has been a leader in global research and innovation in all fields. Research spending is a major contributor to the US GDP, with the government spending $806 billion on research in 2021. Academic and medical institutions across the country rely on federal funding to support new and ongoing research projects and those who work on these efforts. The United States also supports research efforts across the world, including in partnerships with international universities and projects to support nations facing epidemics and environmental challenges.
What will be the impacts of the funding cuts?
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), which supports medical research at institutions across the country, spent nearly $32 billion to fund nearly 60,000 research grants in 2024. A directive issued on February 7th by the Trump administration creates a cap on research grants, requiring indirect funding in grants to be limited to 15% of total funding. Out of the NIH’s 2024 spending, $9 billion went to support “indirect costs,” those not directly connected to the research, but which include costs essential to the project’s function, including spending on laboratory maintenance, utility bills, administrative staff salaries, and hazardous materials disposal services, as well as many other functions. Each project has different needs for indirect funding, and when allocating this funding, NIH officials previously went through an extensive review process, looking at individual and institutional needs for funding to determine the amount. Most institutions currently receive a far higher percentage of indirect funding set aside in NIH-funded grants, an average of 40 cents per dollar going towards indirect costs. Setting a 15% cap on indirect research funding would be disastrous for researchers and institutions across the country, who rely on indirect funding to be able to continue projects. The Trump administration claims that cuts would mean “more money and resources available for legitimate scientific research, not less.” However, especially at the largest grant receiving institutions and hospital systems in the country, those who have consistently been leaders in domestic and global research, will not be able to continue research at the same capacity and with the same success as they previously have.
In 2023, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) spent $900 million to support labs and emergency-response efforts across the world. As the Democratic Republic of Congo experiences the deadliest Mpox outbreak in history, the US faces a worsening bird flu epidemic, and Ebola cases consistently rise, President Trump halted all foreign aid programs and laid off thousands of USAID employees. In his first administration, President Trump expanded USAID’s efforts to 50 countries, with USAID officials serving essential roles in outbreak response and management. In his second administration, he has already cut $60 billion in funding for USAID projects and eliminated 90% of foreign aid contracts, abruptly ending trials and leaving communities without answers as to what comes next.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) supports more than 1900 organizations that have contributed to major advancements in everything from American Sign Language to semiconductor chips. The agency, per official communication from the White House Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is preparing for the layoff of half of its 1600 employee workforce as soon as the spring of 2025. Though still a rumor, the agency also faces a potential 60% budget cut, which would likely lead the agency to cancel a large portion of its projects. The National Science Foundation also has a major role in promoting STEM education in schools (remember Bill Nye the Science Guy?!), efforts which would likely not be sustainable without its workforce or funding.
Each year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awards more than $4 billion in funding to research climate change, sustainable practices, and earth systems. With the assistance of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the EPA has cancelled grants and more than $287 million of funding to projects supported by the agency. The EPA’s work has been integral in working to fight issues of environmental justice (now a term censored by the US government) that impacted communities across the country. It also funds essential projects to study levels of bacteria in water, improve hurricane preparedness, and measure air quality. However, for a government that does not believe in the existence of climate change or environmental injustices, it is likely that within a few months time, none of these projects will exist.
So what can we do? While the Trump administration is a formidable opponent, we won’t let them win. It is crucial that we maintain hope and that we continue to fight, protecting the US’ role as a global leader in research and innovation. Here is a short list of steps that we can take now, and throughout the next few months and years, to protect US research institutions, continue to support communities impacted by environmental and health injustices, and support those impacted by funding cuts.
Attend Protests to demand the continuation of federal research funding
On Friday, March 7th, thousands of scientists from across the country gathered to protest the Trump administration’s research funding cuts. In Washington D.C., speakers, including Bill Nye and Representative Jamie Raskin, spoke to the crowd about the need for scientific research and the unconstitutional cuts done by the federal government. Rallies were held across the country, and even across the world, attended by researchers and students at universities and hospital systems whose work is directly impacted by these cuts. Protests mobilize people to stand up for a common cause and to voice collective support for change. To demand that the federal government stop its unconstitutional cuts of science funding, attend national protests or organize a walkout at your school, university, or workplace.
Fight for transparency
The impact of funding cuts is still unclear, and the leaders of university systems, hospitals, and other institutions must be clear about new information and how it will impact their employees. It is crucial that, as the year goes on, leaders are urged to disclose information that they know and to make clear plans about how they will mitigate the impacts of funding cuts and continue efforts with cuts.
Support Science at Your School!
On a local level, it is important to encourage and foster a love for science in schools. Federal cuts occurred because of people in government who do not understand science or its importance to the world. Through organizing and participating in science fairs, involving yourself in or starting your own branch of the Science National Honor Society, and encouraging your friends to involve themselves in activities which promote science education and understanding, you can help to ensure that the leaders of tomorrow recognize the importance of science and that public support for science is far greater than opposition.