1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

The aggressive cuts and attacks on scientific funding by the Trump administration are having severe consequences. Many talented young researchers and students are being forced to consider leaving the United States to pursue their careers elsewhere due to the lack of support and opportunities in their fields. This brain drain poses a grave threat to American innovation and global competitiveness. Universities across the nation are facing devastating funding losses, forcing them to downsize research staff and shut down critical labs. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has suspended hundreds of grants, including those related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and thousands of applications are on hold. Leading cancer research labs that develop treatments too costly for for-profit drug companies are being forced to lay off personnel. This assault on science is not only crippling vital research but also discouraging the next generation of scientists and innovators. As funding dries up and labs close, talented students and early-career researchers are being compelled to seek opportunities abroad, where their expertise is valued and supported. The United States has long been a global leader in scientific discoveries and technological advancements, thanks to robust federal investment in research. However, the current administration's policies threaten to reverse this progress and cede the future to other nations. We risk losing our competitive edge in fields ranging from medicine and biotechnology to computer science and aerospace engineering. Prioritizing short-term budget cuts over long-term investments in scientific research is short-sighted and detrimental to the nation's interests. It is imperative that we reverse this dangerous trend and restore robust funding for scientific endeavors, both within government agencies and at our world-class universities. Failing to do so will have severe consequences for American innovation, economic prosperity, and global leadership.