Feature
More than 7,800 research grants terminated or frozen. Some 25,000 scientists and personnel gone from agencies that oversee research. Proposed budget cuts of 35% — amounting to US$32 billion. In this graphics-rich immersive feature, Nature shines the spotlight on the impact that one year of the administration of Donald Trump has had on US science.
Nature | 6 min scroll
Source: Historical workforce numbers at scientific agencies were taken from the Office of Personnel and Management; numbers for 2025 were obtained from agency responses to Nature’s query or from shutdown plans released by agencies in late September 2025.
News
The US Congress is poised to approve legislation rejecting huge cuts to science sought by the administration of US President Donald Trump. The deal, announced yesterday, would see the budget of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) increase by around 1% this year — instead of the 37% reduction proposed by Trump. The NIH agreement follows separate legislation that would minimize cuts to most of the other main science agencies. Lawmakers have until the end of the month to finalize the NIH deal and other spending legislation to avoid a partial government shutdown, which would be the second closure in less than three months.
Nature | 7 min read
News
The United States is leaving 66 global agencies — including some of the world’s oldest and most influential scientific networks involved in biodiversity research, climate science and conservation, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It will maintain a presence on some key agencies, such as the World Trade Organization. The effect of withdrawal is “not just loss of financial contribution”, says anthropologist Sera Young. It is “also the messaging of selfishness and the example-setting”. But affected organizations tell Nature that their work continues. “The UN system is designed to be resilient and withstand such withdrawals,” says public-policy expert Maria Ivanova.
Nature | 8 min read
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