Trump's Cuts to Science Funding Threaten America’s Global Research Leadership:

The United States has long been considered the world's leading nation in scientific research. Its universities, laboratories, and researchers have consistently produced groundbreaking discoveries, earning more Nobel Prizes in science than any other country. But according to Nobel Prize officials in Sweden, that leadership is now at risk — largely due to actions taken under former President Donald Trump. Since taking office, Trump implemented deep cuts to federal research funding, disrupted academic freedom, and oversaw significant layoffs of scientists across various government agencies. These changes have raised global concerns, especially among those closely tied to the Nobel community. Hans Ellegren, secretary general of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences — the body that awards Nobel Prizes in physics, chemistry, and economics — highlighted the potential long-term damage. “Since World War II, the U.S. has replaced Germany as the global leader in science. But now, with research budgets being slashed, that leadership is under threat,” Ellegren warned. The cuts are already having a tangible impact. According to data from Grant Watch, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have canceled over 2,100 grants, totaling approximately $9.5 billion, along with $2.6 billion in contracts. These cancellations have affected vital projects focused on cancer, Alzheimer’s, global warming, gender studies, and more. Even though efforts are underway to recover some of the lost funding, the uncertainty is casting a long shadow. Thomas Perlmann, secretary of the Nobel committee for medicine, stressed the significance of U.S. support for research: “There’s a reason the U.S. has produced more Nobel laureates than any other country. It’s been the engine of global science.” He added that if the U.S. continues down this path, it could have serious global repercussions. "Science doesn’t recover overnight. A few years of major cutbacks can cause damage that takes decades to fix." There’s also concern about the next generation of researchers. With fewer opportunities and greater instability, young scientists may be discouraged from entering the field altogether. Others may leave the U.S. to pursue work in more supportive environments. Ellegren warned, “There’s a real danger of losing a generation of future scientists. Once lost, they may never return — even if funding is restored.” This shift could open the door for countries like China, which is currently investing heavily in research and development, to step into the spotlight. “The global trend is clear — China is rising. They're putting in unbelievable resources,” Ellegren said. Both Perlmann and Ellegren agree that the U.S. must protect its scientific legacy. “The prosperity of America has been built, in part, on its investment in science,” Ellegren noted. “If given the chance, I would tell Trump directly: It’s in your nation’s best interest to support academic freedom and science.” Because in the world of research, what’s lost today may not be easily regained tomorrow.

NEWS