During a recent gathering of one of the oldest scientific societies in the US, the discussions touched on threats to humankind. But the most urgent threats for many researchers are the ones aimed at them, as Donald Trump cuts back on billions in funding for research.
Grief and anxiety summed up the mood Saturday. Scientists are concerned that the most far-reaching consequences could still be to come, affecting the cornerstones of public research funding in the US: National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation.
Together, these agencies fund thousands of projects each year, supporting scores of researchers and other people at different institutions across the country. The agencies are the financial backbone for efforts to treat cancer, climate change and other problems.
The US Environment Protection Agency recently announced the termination of 388 probationary employees hired in the last couple of years, mentioning that the change is set to support the Trump administration’s “energy dominance” policy, Outlook Business quoted Reuters as saying.
