Early-Career Researchers Reflect on the Emotional and Societal Fallout of Trump’s Funding Cuts

Since February , massive chunks of federal funding for science and health have been canceled on a near- weekly basis.

The Trump administration has framed these cuts as a way to reduce wasteful spending, refocus research priorities and eliminate ideological bias.

Grant Watch , a project tracking Trump ’s scientific funding cancellations, has tallied more than 2,482 terminated NIH grants worth $8.7 billion .

Early-career scientists are being disproportionately affected.

A federal judge ordered the NIH to restore a COVID-related grant that was supposed to run until September .

Early-career grants are crucial stepping stones to larger grants and recognition of a rising researcher's potential.

The way the Trump administration’s termination letters are worded “delegitimates the scientists and the work they do,” scientist says.

A number of junior researchers say all these blows are taking a heavy toll on their mental health.

Many scientists, including early-career ones, are contemplating leaving the U.S. to find better support for their research.

Science fields will become a less appealing choice for incoming college students, experts say.