Stanford University: Students, Researchers Protest Against Federal Research Funding Cuts

Study in US: In its effort to slash federal spending, dismantle large parts of the US government and downsize the federal workforce, the Trump Administration announced research funding cuts for the National Institutes of Health and other science organisations.

To oppose Trump's administration's cuts to federal research funding and stand up for the science rally, more than 70 students and Stanford affiliates gathered to participate in the protest outside of San Francisco City Hall.

Five young scientists from different science backgrounds are running a national grassroots movement. This protest was one of the other Stand Up for Science rallies happening across the US. While protesting, students carried slogans including “You know it’s bad when the nerds get mad" and “Science Saves Lives”.

Trump administration has ordered several science agencies including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the National Institute of Health (NIH) to limit funds.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is fearing the outcomes of the Trump administration's research funding cuts. NIH supports the work of around 300,000 external scientists, according to the Washington Post.

A US Judge also blocked the President from carrying out cuts to federal grants for research and said it would lead to curtailment of medical and scientific studies, lab closures and layoffs.

Stanford Could Loose $160 Million Dollars

The university fears that if these changes are implemented, the university could lose up to $160 million dollars in funding. Despite a judge having temporarily restrained funding cuts to NIH, professors have noticed that their applications are being delayed and not assigned study sections.

Nobel laureate Carolyn Bertozzi said during the protest, “The very programs that made it possible for me to stand here before you as a practising chemist, an educator, a researcher and a Nobel laureate, are exactly the kind of programs that our current administration is trying to destroy."

Read more:

• Germany Recovers 8x Return On Investment In Foreign Students: ICEF Monitor
• Indian Student Regrets Studying In Canada; Shares Harsh Reality In Reddit Post