US science after a year of Trump: what has been lost and what remains 🔬📉🌍🧬Here’s a concise, nonpartisan overview of what scientists and policy observers noted about a year into the Trump era. It covers proposed changes, actions taken, and what continued to function.What has been lost (or perceived as diminished)- Climate science emphasis and messaging - Signals from federal policy suggesting a deprioritization of climate research and climate-related regulatory work, along with moves to roll back or slow certain environmental regulations.- Long-term basic research and program stability - Proposals and discussions about cutting budgets for energy research, environmental programs, and some fundamental sciences, creating concerns about continuity for long-term projects and early-career researchers.- Federal science advisory capacity and staffing - The sense among some scientists that senior advisory roles and cross-agency science coordination were trimmed or reoriented toward policy priorities, reducing the visibility or influence of independent scientific expertise in policymaking.- International science collaboration and openness (in some policy contexts) - Broader tensions around multilateral science programs and foreign collaboration under broader national policy shifts, which some researchers worried could hinder global partnerships and data sharing.- Public science communication and integrity norms (perceived shifts) - Debates about how science results are communicated in official channels and how scientific integrity guidelines are applied or interpreted within the administration.What remains (and what endured)- Core research institutions and funding streams - NIH, NSF, NASA, DOE Office of Science, and other major U.S. research funders continued to operate, publish findings, and support grants, even as budgets and priorities shifted in various directions.- NASA’s multi-mission posture - Continued emphasis on exploration, planetary science, and human spaceflight missions; ongoing research and launches persisted, preserving NASA’s central role in aerospace and space science.- University and private-sector research vitality - Universities, think tanks, and private industry continued to drive a large share of discovery, development, and translation, sustaining the U.S. science ecosystem despite federal policy changes.- Scientific publishing and data infrastructure - Routine data collection, open data practices, peer-reviewed publishing, and scientific collaboration across institutions largely persisted, providing continuity for researchers and students.- Public trust and culture of inquiry - The broader scientific enterprise—its norms, training pipelines, and international collaborations—remained resilient, with many scientists continuing to advocate for evidence-based policy and continued investment in discovery.What to watch going forward- Budget trajectories and policy reversals - As administrations change or Congress shifts, funding for specific programs (climate, energy, environment, basic science) can move quickly. Tracking enacted budgets vs. proposed cuts will illuminate where losses persist or ease.- Restoration of advisory capacity and integrity norms - The role of independent scientific advice in policy-making may rebound or be recalibrated with new leadership and congressional oversight.- Global collaboration and data sharing - Diplomatic and policy developments will influence cross-border research partnerships, data access, and joint programs, impacting long-term science outcomes.- Early-career researchers and workforce dynamics - Uncertainty about funding and policy signals can affect the career pipeline; ongoing funding stability and opportunities for new researchers will shape the sector’s resilience.If you’d like, I can tailor this to a specific year (e.g., the first year after inauguration) or add concrete examples and sources to illustrate each point.
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#USScience #TrumpEraScience #ScienceInAmerica #FundingForScience #ScientificIntegrity
Nature
US science after a year of Trump: what has been lost and what remains
A series of graphics reveals how the Trump administration has sought historic cuts to science and the research workforce.
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