CLIMATEWIRE | Scientists across the country are in turmoil as President Donald Trump wages an assault on U.S. research.
They’re worried about their funding and job security. They’re censoring their language around topics like climate change and diversity. And they’re wondering what kinds of science they’ll be allowed to conduct in a rapidly shifting U.S. research landscape.
The Trump administration has frozen billions of dollars in funding, paused grant reviews, cut critical support for institutional science and released sweeping executive orders to reshape the federal government. Much of the uncertainty in the research world stems from Trump’s executive order on DEI, which calls for the federal government to eliminate programs and grants related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
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The order’s language is so broad that universities and research institutions still don’t understand its full scope, leaving researchers worried that projects involving any mention of gender, race or equity — even in the name of science — might be on the chopping block. At least one university is advising researchers to not use words like biodiversity to avoid being flagged by AI-based grant review systems.
“It’s clear that you can’t be a researcher or scientist in the U.S. anymore, especially if focused on science equity, climate, etc.,” said one university researcher in a message to POLITICO’s E&E News.
Researchers who spoke with E&E News expressed fears that the U.S. is losing its status as a global science leader. Most declined to be named, citing concerns about loss of funding and professional retaliation.
These aren’t just scientists who work for the federal government, where billionaire Elon…
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