The Future of Science is at Risk: Why Funding Cuts Hurt Young Innovators

Science thrives when young minds are given the chance to explore and innovate. Consider the impact of young scientists like:

• Larry Page and Sergey Brin, who founded Google while in graduate school.
• Kizzmekia Corbett, who led the team that developed the COVID-19 vaccine.

These success stories underscore the importance of nurturing a steady flow of young talent in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

The Threat of Funding Cuts

Recent cuts to research funding are jeopardizing this pipeline. The Trump administration slashed $8 billion from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), canceling thousands of research grants. The consequences include:

• Early-career scientists leaving the field.
• STEM programs for K-12 students disappearing.

Early exposure to science inspires future careers in STEM, making these cuts particularly damaging.

Inspiring Stories

Two perspectives highlight the importance of this pipeline:

• An undergraduate at Vassar College inspired by a PBS show featuring scientists designing shoes for stroke rehabilitation.
• A former NIH-funded researcher who worked on a school-based video game to prevent opioid misuse among adolescents.

Both experiences demonstrate how science can make a real difference in people's lives.

The Value of Young Scientists

Research shows that young scientists bring fresh ideas and creativity. A 2022 study found that scientists often reach their creative peak early in their careers. Collaborations between young and senior scientists lead to stronger science.

However, funding cuts have led to the cancellation of crucial programs, such as:

• A Chicago-based after-school robotics program for middle school girls.
• Research projects involving young people as co-researchers at Columbia University and Virginia Commonwealth University.

These programs are vital for developing critical thinking skills and ethical science.

Economic and Social Consequences

The consequences of these cuts go beyond innovation and skill development. STEM jobs provide greater security during economic downturns. During the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment rates for STEM workers were consistently lower than for non-STEM workers. This stability helps shield the economy from long-term stagnation.

Misguided Perceptions

Some argue that universities lean toward progressive agendas and that defunding their scientific investigations addresses this bias. However, this perception is misguided because:

• Science is not partisan.
• These cuts undermine critical, lifesaving science.

For example:

• mRNA vaccine research, which made America a global leader during the COVID-19 pandemic, had grants terminated.
• An NIH study exploring the risks of oral and throat cancers, which disproportionately affect gay men, was defunded simply because the abstract included "sexual and gender minority," despite its clear focus on cancer prevention.

The Desire for Involvement

Young people want more involvement in science, not less. They want to contribute to research that reflects their lives and communities. Involvement in science ensures:

• The research process is relevant to them.
• They build confidence.
• They strengthen social connections.
• They form meaningful relationships with adult mentors.

The Technology and Adolescent Mental Wellness (TAM) program is one example, where young people served as collaborators and contributors of science, even publishing a peer-reviewed paper on how technology use changed in 2020.

The Urgent Need for Action

Without reinstating NIH and NSF grants, the pipeline that nurtures the next generation of young scientists is at risk. For decades, government funding has sparked transformative research, from the development of the internet to breakthroughs in medicine and technology, that made the U.S. a global leader in innovation.

Without immediate action, science will lose the innovators needed to tackle urgent public health crises, and society will lose breakthroughs that save lives and drive economic growth.