All government shutdowns disrupt science − in 2025, the consequences extend far beyond a lapse in funding

Government Shutdowns Harm Scientific Progress

Science consistently suffers during government shutdowns. Funding lapses force government scientists to stop working and go unpaid. Federal agencies halt new grant opportunities, suspend expert review panels, and cease collecting and analyzing vital public data on the economy, environment, and public health.

Higher Stakes in 2025 Shutdown

The 2025 shutdown occurs amid major disruptions to American science and innovation, fueled by President Donald Trump’s efforts to increase executive power and control scientific institutions politically. With the shutdown stretching into its fifth week and no resolution in sight, the administration’s aggressive changes are reshaping the relationship between the U.S. government and research universities.

The government "provides funding and autonomy in exchange for the promise of downstream public benefits."

Impact on Research Universities

These rapid policy shifts are rewriting the social contract where universities receive government funds with the expectation of delivering benefits to society. As a physicist and policy scholar who relies on federal grants, I am directly affected by these developments.

Author’s Perspective

I research the history and governance of American science policy, focusing on national investments in research and development.

"The Trump administration is not just reforming the US research system – it is trying to remake it."

Author’s summary: The 2025 government shutdown severely disrupts U.S. science amid sweeping policy changes that threaten the traditional support system for research and innovation.

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The Conversation The Conversation — 2025-11-04

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