We absolutely cannot let science be hit by 50% budget cuts at NSF and NIH. It would be absolutely devastating to our standing in the world. Scientists will ABSOLUTELY leave to Europe and Canada to continue our research. I know that I would.
Concretely: at a European university, we are hearing from American researchers who would have been above our ability to attract previously, and who are directly telling us that they're interested in applying for positions because they have been directly affected by these funding cuts and antics.
This could end up being an opportunity like the one the US had in the 1930s and 40s for any country able to take advantage of it. Whether Europe or China will benefit more remains to be seen. I have been reminding people that, before the 1930s, Germany had the best university system and research in the world. And it's particularly sad, because in my personal experience, culturally, and organizationally, American research universities and research culture have traditionally been much better and much more conducive to good research and real collaboration, then Europe or China.
Seems like it's already happened. Historically, Europe has had poorer funding opportunities for scientists than the US and fewer positions to fill. I know a fair number of European scientists who came to the US because there were simply more positions available in their discipline. Even with these cuts I'm not sure that'll even out.
Only Congress can stop it. The only chance there is of doing anything is for the Dems to take the Senate and House in the midterms, but the math in the Senate is very much against that happening.
I would counter that Trump doesn’t care, and probably welcomes that outcome. “The rest of the world can fund what we have been funding for the rest of the world, their turn.”
I think it’s a big mistake, and this un-named tribunal ultimately deciding things is really, really bad thing.
