Young Researchers’ Work and Career Opportunities Jeopardized by Trump’s Cuts
Uncertainty and Fear Among Young Researchers
Britney Smart, a doctoral student at the University of Illinois Chicago, went into public health research to answer one alarming question: Why are Black women in America three times more likely to die while giving birth? “No one should have to think about ‘Am I going to die having a baby in this country?'” she says. Smart’s research focuses on keeping more Black women safe during childbirth. But her work and that of countless other young researchers is now imperiled by President Donald Trump’s upending of federal research funding.
Slowed Grants and Cuts
Although a court has temporarily blocked the administration’s drastic cuts to funding for research institutions, the flow of grants from federal agencies like the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has slowed to a trickle. The administration has particularly focused on defunding research in any way related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, which some scientists and health researchers say has become integral to more federal grants in recent years.
Chaos at UIC
The chaos of the Trump administration is hitting UIC researchers who are just starting their careers, like Smart, especially hard. They are unsure of whether federal grants, a key source of funding for public health research, will exist to support their work. Smart, who is originally from Trinidad and Tobago, relies on a National Science Foundation fellowship to fund her PhD. The agency has started flagging keywords as simple as “racism,” “diversity,” and “women,” so she’s not sure if she still has that funding.
Budgeting Uncertainty
The uncertainty has made budgeting for individual researchers and institutions nearly impossible. Some universities have paused graduate school admissions or taken down job postings because they don’t know if they will have funding to take on new students or researchers. Officials at UIC have implemented what they are calling a “hiring chill,” under which new hires, including graduate assistants, require approval from top administrators.
Young Researchers’ Fears
“I’m looking for the next thing, and I’ve seen positions that were available the week before, and then you go back to open the application and the position’s gone,” says Maggie Butler, a postdoctoral fellow at UIC’s School of Public Health. “It’s just a 404 page.”
Career Uncertainty
Butler and her colleague Minji Kang Huh are worried about their careers, but they are even more concerned about the communities they serve. Kang Huh’s research focuses on helping marginalized women gain access — and a say — in their health care. She said the United States has a history of using coercive practices, like forced sterilizations, against minority communities. She said that mistreatment continues to the present, when providers pressure women of color, for instance, to use an IUD instead of allowing them to choose contraception they feel is right for them.
Conclusion
The uncertainty and fear among young researchers are palpable, and it’s unclear what the future holds for their work and careers. However, as Kang Huh notes, “I would hope that it empowers people to work harder and fight harder, but I don’t blame people if they feel defeated and don’t want to get into this field. What is propelling people to want to do this work if they’re going to be stopped at every corner?”
FAQs
* What is the impact of Trump’s cuts on young researchers?
Young researchers are experiencing uncertainty and fear about their work and careers due to the slowed flow of grants and cuts to federal research funding.
* What is the focus of the Trump administration’s cuts?
The administration has particularly focused on defunding research in any way related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
* How are universities responding to the uncertainty?
Some universities have paused graduate school admissions or taken down job postings due to budget uncertainty, while others are implementing “hiring chills” to slow down new hires.
* What are the concerns of young researchers?
Young researchers are worried about the impact of the cuts on their work, their careers, and the communities they serve.
