Science Weekly How Trump unleashed chaos in science
Feb 25, 2025
The podcast delves into the turbulent impact of political decisions on the U.S. scientific community. It discusses delays in funding and projects, leading to chaos within research institutions. Experts highlight the severe implications of funding cuts and layoffs, which threaten the vitality of innovation. Concerns about retaliation within scientific circles emerge, emphasizing the need for trust and collaboration. The conversation underscores the crucial link between politics and public support for science, advocating for robust journalism amidst this turmoil.
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Trump's Early Policies
- Trump's early actions included exiting the Paris Agreement and WHO.
- He also enacted policies impacting diversity programs and scientific research.
Communication Halt
- The US Department of Health and Human Services paused external communications, causing disruptions.
- This affected information flow, meetings, and research grant allocation.
NIH Indirect Costs Cap
- The NIH announced a cap on indirect costs for research grants at 1.5%.
- This shocked scientists, as indirect costs typically range from 30% to over 60%.