Why Research Funding Cuts Should Alarm Us All
The Trump administration’s threats to slash federal funding for universities are more than just political noise—they’re a direct threat to critical scientific research. Institutions like Harvard face billions in potential losses that support cancer studies, climate research, and medical innovation. For someone whose family has actively raised money for pancreatic cancer research after losing a loved one, this hits close to home.
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest diseases, and it’s precisely this kind of federally supported research that drives breakthroughs. These funding cuts risk delaying or halting work that could save lives—not just someday, but soon. The issue goes beyond science. It’s about academic freedom. Universities are being pressured to change their values and programming in exchange for money, setting a dangerous precedent that compromises independence and integrity.
My brother is currently searching for a job following his graduation. After earning his degree, he spent six months hiking the Appalachian Trail. His long-term goal is to pursue a Ph.D., and to support that path, he has been seeking opportunities to gain experience and potentially join a lab that could help fund his future studies.
Recently, he was offered a position in a research lab after completing the interview process, attending orientation, and even receiving a confirmed start date. However, after a few days without any communication regarding the necessary paperwork, he began to grow concerned. Eventually, the hiring manager reached out to rescind the offer, citing university-wide financial uncertainty caused by ongoing threats to federal funding. These cuts have had a direct and significant impact, shrinking the job market and affecting students, researchers, and families alike. The consequences of reduced federal funding are not hypothetical—they are being felt in real and immediate ways.
Research is a public good, and when it’s politicized or defunded, we all lose. If we care about innovation, education, and progress, we need to protect our academic institutions, not punish them.
Kamenetz, A. (2025, April 4). College presidents push back on Trump threats to cut funding. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2025/04/04/nx-s1-5349444/college-presidents-trump-threats-funding
