John Aubrey Douglass, Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Studies in Higher Education (CSHE) at UC Berkeley, was recently quoted in E&E News regarding the significant challenges facing U.S. research institutions under new federal funding restrictions.
A recent report highlights how the Trump administration’s policy changes, including major cuts to research funding and the elimination of federal programs tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), are creating uncertainty for universities and scientists nationwide. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced reductions in billions of dollars for research-related administrative costs, a move that has sparked legal challenges from multiple universities and state attorneys general.
Douglass emphasized the far-reaching consequences of these cuts, warning that if implemented, they could “blow a huge hole in the financial ecosystem for research universities.” His comments reflect growing concerns that U.S. institutions may struggle to sustain their leadership in global scientific innovation.
Beyond financial impacts, the shifting federal landscape is also prompting self-censorship among researchers, particularly in fields related to climate change and DEI, as scholars navigate uncertainties in funding criteria.
For more details, read the full E&E News article here.