The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) is deeply concerned about the harmful impacts to science, both short-term and long-term, caused by recent Executive Orders and directives. These actions have impeded vital scientific research, disrupted scientific meetings and review panels, delayed salary payments for early-career researchers, and hindered workforce development programs. Such actions threaten scientific progress at a crucial time and undermine the nation’s leadership in science.
Science must remain free from political, ideological, and financial influence to ensure sound policies that benefit public health, the economy, the environment, and national security. The Administration’s pause on federal grants created unnecessary instability, disproportionately affecting early-career scientists and long-term research initiatives. Although the temporary freeze has been lifted, ongoing reviews of previously approved grants raise serious legal and ethical concerns. Efforts to terminate grants that include language promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion or climate science contravene congressional mandates and obstruct vital research. Importantly, merit-based peer review is fundamental to the integrity of scientific funding and to the success of our national scientific enterprise. Politicizing this process by subjecting previously awarded grants to additional scrutiny based on Executive Orders undermines the credibility of research funding mechanisms. Furthermore, Congress, not the Executive Branch, holds authority over federal spending. Any actions circumventing the U.S. Constitution and federal laws threaten democratic governance and the stability of the scientific enterprise.
AIBS strongly contends that science and society are strengthened by the open exchange of diverse perspectives and ideas. To effectively apply scientific knowledge in developing treatments and cures for diseases, enhancing resilience against natural and human-made disasters, safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystems, and ensuring national security, we champion diversity in all its forms. AIBS remains committed to these ideals and opposes any initiatives that seek to dismantle programs designed to broaden participation from underrepresented groups.
AIBS strongly opposes any efforts to censor scientific information, restrict research topics, or limit academic freedom. The selective removal of taxpayer-funded scientific data from federal websites violates federal laws governing transparency and accessibility, and threatens informed decision-making. Public data are essential for scientific research, policymaking, and economic planning. AIBS urges Congress to call for the restoration of removed federal data and ensure continued public access to taxpayer-funded information. In addition, public communication from federal research agencies must remain transparent, uninterrupted, and free from political interference in order to maintain public trust and the integrity of the scientific enterprise.
The United States has long been a global leader in scientific research and education, driving discovery, technological advancements, and economic growth. Recent developments, however, including anticipated staff reductions at the National Science Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, along with drastic cuts to indirect cost rates at the National Institutes of Health, raise concerns about the U.S.’s commitment to maintaining this leadership role and sustaining a strong research infrastructure. Slashing the federal scientific workforce under the guise of enhancing efficiency will undermine U.S. competitiveness, hinder innovation, and give strategic advantages to our global competitors. Also essential to maintaining the nation’s leadership in science and technology is a stable and predictable funding environment. AIBS urges the Administration and Congress to prioritize sustained investment in research and development to secure the nation’s long-term scientific and economic standing.
The United States must reinforce its commitment to evidence-based decision-making and global leadership in science by fostering an environment that supports open, independent, and innovative research.
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