Those of us who work at Universities and other scientific organizations are well aware of the cuts, layoffs, and damage affecting the American science enterprise under the Trump Administration. An article published today in the New York Times describes what is happening specifically at the National Science Foundation (NSF), which for 75 years has supported research and education in science and engineering.
In addition to the termination or freezing of grants related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), social justice, and misinformation/disinformation, funding awarded from January 1 to May 21st of this year by the NSF declined 50% from the 2015–2024 average. The declines were largest in the education directorate, followed by math, physics, and chemistry; engineering; and biology.
Technically, these are declines in awards given. The available funds could be doled out later in the fiscal year. However, even if funds are eventually doled out, these delays cause declines in research assistantships for graduate students, layoffs, and disruptions in lab operations and research endeavors. The delays are probably most problematic for new/young faculty members who represent the future of science and engineering in the United States.
NSFs Division of Graduate Education in the Education Directorate has awarded no funding so far from January 1 to May 21. None. The average in prior years was $21 million. As a result, the number of graduate research assistantships awarded by the program, which go to some of our Nation's the most promising young scientists and engineers, has declined this fiscal year (which begins in October) from 2,000 to 1,000.
These are not changes in the name of efficiency or an effort to simply excise funding related to DEI. They are damaging the seed corn for future science and engineering in the United States, especially the development of young scientists who are supported not only by the Division of Graduate Education but also grants provided by other NSF directorates, which frequently are dominated by support for graduate students (and in many cases undergraduate students too).
"Le vieux monde se meurt, le nouveau monde tarde à apparaître et dans ce clair-obscur surgissent les monstres" (Antonio Gramsci)
ReplyDelete2015-2024 is a big time frame so when you break it down on a $/yr basis, they are getting more than ever in 2025. Also, if adjusted for inflation I’m thinking maybe the numbers work out when you consider that.
ReplyDeleteThat’s why Jim wrote “average”
DeleteThe mental gymnastics reflected in this response is truly breathtaking. AcTuALlY it's more money! No it isn't and the Administration isn't even trying to pretend it's more money--it's less, a lot less and it is doing untold damage to this country's leadership in science and education.
DeleteTo confirm what others have stated, it is the 2015-2024 average during the same period, so this is an apples to apples comparison.
DeleteHey, if all the $ isn’t going to mediocre right wing white males who don’t play in women’s sports or use straws then it shouldn’t go to anyone. And if we don’t allow vaccines or saying the words “climate change” we don’t need anyone to study them.
ReplyDeleteWe’re not a serious country.
Obviously some of these goals are purely political and seem outrageous. What is the real motivation here? To privatize scientific research? To set up a more narrow framework such that private companies can leverage AI and pay fewer people to gain more power and hold the keys to the future?
ReplyDelete