The Real-World Impact of Research Funding Cuts
February 25, 2025
Scientific research isn’t just about discovery—it’s about improving lives, training future scientists, and developing treatments for diseases that impact millions. But without stable funding, progress stalls.
SeYeon Chung, an associate professor in biological sciences at LSU, studies how organs develop, research that could help uncover the causes of birth defects—the leading cause of infant mortality. Her team’s work, however, is now in jeopardy.
Due to a freeze on National Institutes of Health grants, critical funding for her lab is on hold, leaving the future of her multi-year research uncertain. Chung says this is more than just a funding delay—it’s a setback that could slow medical advancements and limit opportunities for the next generation of scientists.
Read Chung’s explanation of the impact of research funding cuts:
Funding for scientific research is essential for advancing our understanding of human health and disease, for improving the lives of patients and families affected by these conditions, and for training younger generations of doctors and scientists.
“ But ultimately, it’s the patients and families affected by these conditions who will feel the devastating effects. ”
My lab studies how organs form during embryonic development. We're focused on understanding how organs like the lungs and kidneys develop their proper structures. This research is important for understanding diseases, as many genetic disorders affect organ development. In fact, birth defects are the leading cause of infant mortality, accounting for about 20% of all infant deaths.
“ Without this critical support, researchers may not be able to complete their projects, leading to a delay in discovering new knowledge and developing new treatments. ”
Developmental biology research takes a long time, often several years. My lab has been largely supported by the National Science Foundation for many years. However, I recently submitted a National Institutes of Health grant and received a competitive score in late 2024. But my grant was directly affected by the grant freeze and is currently on hold because the council meeting to make the final decision was canceled without further notice. This uncertainty is concerning because we risk not being able to continue our multi-year research and make progress in understanding organ development.
Many people might not understand everything that goes into a research project like this. The team working on this research includes three PhD students, three undergraduate research assistants, and one post-bac research associate. Each team member plays a crucial role in completing research projects. The PhD students are the primary researchers on the project, responsible for designing and conducting experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and interpreting the results. They are also responsible for writing and publishing papers, presenting their findings at conferences, and mentoring the undergraduate research assistants. The undergraduate research assistants and post-bac research associate are an essential part of the team, providing support to the PhD students with tasks such as data collection, sample preparation. They also have the opportunity to gain hands-on research experience, develop their skills in scientific techniques and methods, and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in their field.
Stipends for graduate students, salaries for undergraduate research assistants and research associates, reagents and supplies, microscope user fees, and software licenses are covered by the direct costs of the grant. The indirect costs of the grant cover things like building maintenance, air conditioning, utilities, IT support, and administrative support, which are all essential for research but not covered by direct costs. For example, research experiments often require specific conditions, such as a specific temperature or a specialized room, such as a cell culture room that requires hygiene throughout the room, are covered by indirect costs. Without this support, our research will be significantly impacted.
Reduced funding means fewer resources, loss of expertise, reduced collaboration, and reduced opportunities for training and mentorship. Without this critical support, researchers may not be able to complete their projects, leading to a delay in discovering new knowledge and developing new treatments. Without funding, we may not be able to make progress in understanding and treating diseases that affect many people, including infants. Funding is also essential for training the next generation, and cuts will cause many of them to abandon science and research. But ultimately, it’s the patients and families affected by these conditions who will feel the devastating effects.