US National Science Foundation Freezes New Funding Amid Major Budget Cuts

In a significant blow to scientific research in the United States, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced a cessation of all new funding actions until further notice, as detailed in internal communications shared with the publication Nature. This decision, affecting one of the foremost supporters of basic research globally, was accompanied by a proposal from the White House that aims to slash the NSF's budget by approximately 55% for the 2026 fiscal year. Alongside this budget proposal, cuts to the National Institutes of Health are also on the table, expected to reach around 40%. This freeze comes on the heels of the termination of approximately 380 grants as of May 2, thus increasing the total number of terminated grants to around 1,425. The NSF, an agency integral to innovations across various scientific fields, had previously been experiencing delays and stalled grant reviews, which have now escalated into outright cancellations. Employees have been instructed to reject grant proposals that do not align with the agency's newly defined priorities, which some staff members fear could lead to an Orwellian overreach, jeopardizing the merit-review process built over decades. Concerns are now rising not only within the NSF but also among the scientific community. Researchers dependent on NSF funding express grave worries. Colin Carlson, who leads a vital project on virus emergence, highlighted that the ongoing funding freeze could decimate laboratories and disrupt critical scientific studies, which play a significant role in public health. Former NSF leaders and scholars have condemned these cuts as draconian, emphasizing their long-term detrimental impact on U.S. scientific advancements and the nation's global competitiveness. As a stark reminder, a coalition of academic leaders has connected these funding reductions to an undermining of America's commitment to maintain its leadership position in technological innovation, especially in light of increasing competition from countries like China. They argue for a historic reinvestment in fundamental research to counter these trends and ensure the future of the STEM workforce in the U.S. The proposed budget cuts not only threaten research advance but also aim to cap indirect research funding, limiting it to 15%. Experts from various educational institutions have voiced outrage, claiming this will hinder the innovation landscape crucial for breakthroughs in fields ranging from biotechnology to clean energy. This situation encapsulates a broader ideological conflict over federal research priorities, notably regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives viewed unfavorably by the current administration. The implications of these changes are significant, and unless reversed, they could lead to catastrophic impacts across the scientific landscape in the U.S., potentially setting back progress by years and endangering public welfare roles that scientific research plays.