Federal Funding Cuts Disrupt Young Scientists' Career Paths

Federal funding cuts under the Trump administration are significantly impacting young scientists' career prospects, especially at institutions like the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Connor Phillips, a research fellow at NIH, had hoped to continue his neuroscience studies through a partnership with Brown University, but training programs have been suspended due to these funding reductions. Universities are also reducing admissions for graduate students and freezing hiring, creating uncertainty in the academic landscape. Many applicants, such as Duke University research technician Mira Polishook, are left in limbo as programs cite 'government decisions' affecting their admissions. The National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship, which offers crucial funding, has been delayed, leaving potential students anxious about their future. These cuts threaten the pathways for emerging scientists to contribute meaningfully to research and society.