The United States has been the global leader in scientific excellence for almost a century, but recent events have cast a shadow over its future. In 2025, the nation witnessed a dismantling of its scientific legacy, with facilities and libraries closed, thousands of scientists losing their jobs, and projects canceled or defunded. Even entire government departments were terminated, leaving the scientific community in disarray. But this is not just a story of loss; it's a call to action for the four paths that can secure the future of US science and scientists, not only in 2026 but beyond.
The Fight for Funding: The first path is a familiar one—a battle for continued funding of current and future projects and scientists. In 2025, numerous projects, agencies, and scientists faced funding cuts, with NASA's Science Mission Directorate experiencing the largest funding reduction in its history. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, completed ahead of schedule and under budget, was denied sufficient funds to launch. Thousands of skilled NASA employees lost their jobs, and many ambitious scientific opportunities were threatened. However, the scientific community fought back, and a new congressional budget agreement promises to restore some funding to NASA and the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Contingency Planning: The second path is about preparing for the worst. The US government's recent actions have shown that it might abruptly cut funding, eliminate governing structures, or revoke visas. This uncertainty has led to a need for contingency plans, such as seeking private investors, relying on international partners, and engaging with academic societies to provide support for displaced scientists. The world has taken notice of the US government's unreliable funding, and international collaborations are now more crucial than ever.
Salvaging Terminated Projects: The third path focuses on salvaging projects, careers, and opportunities that have already been terminated in the US. With the Mars Sample Return mission and the Thirty Meter Telescope no longer part of NASA's and NSF's plans, other nations like China and Japan might take the lead. Over 8000 student visas and 2500 specialized worker visas have been revoked, contributing to a brain drain of US-based scientists. Europe, Japan, Canada, and Australia are actively attracting US talent, offering funding and positions for researchers. It's essential to explore alternative funding sources, including private donors, philanthropists, research consortiums, and other nation-states, to ensure that valuable research is not lost.
Rebuilding American Science: The fourth path is about long-term planning to rebuild American science in a way that is resilient to political whims. This involves creating a new scientific infrastructure that guarantees funding for scientists and projects, protected from political influence. Options include setting aside dedicated project budgets, ensuring funding outside of discretionary budgeting, or even writing it into a new constitutional amendment. The goal is to create a stable foundation for science, ensuring its survival and growth regardless of political changes.
As we navigate these paths, it's crucial to remember that science benefits all of humanity. While fighting for science in the US is vital, we must also work to save research and researchers worldwide. The future of science depends on a collective effort, and by pursuing these four paths, we can build a stable and resilient scientific future that the world desperately needs.
