ARCS Foundation Statement on Federal Funding for Research
We believe the reduction of reimbursement of key costs may put the important research of our PhD scholars at risk. More broadly, we are deeply concerned that these cuts will impact critical US scientific progress, drastically reduce the scientific competitiveness of the United States, and harm a long-standing partnership between academic institutions and the federal government. —Read the complete February 12 statement
Scholars who face difficulties due to Federal executive orders or funding reductions are urged to contact their sponsoring chapters or email national@arcsfoundation.org. Members can voice their concerns by contacting their Senators and/or Representatives.
Research Investment Pays
Every … dollar put into university research and science has a payoff of multiple dollars over time in social benefits.
— Jonathan Levin, economist and President of ARCS partner Stanford University Read more
U.S. is Losing Global Ground
"As federal science funding has declined, America has lost its lead in global measures of scientific output, effectiveness, and innovation, the University of California reports. Read more or use the tool to contact your Congressional delegation.
Source: OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) Main Science and Technology Indictors
THE COMMENT PERIOD IS OPEN through July 13 on a proposed Office of Budget and Management rule that increases political oversight of the federal grant making process and limits international collaborations. Visit the Regulations.gov website to read the proposed regulation and comments (more than 9,000 as of June 6) or to add your comment.
The June 3 online emergency meeting on the OMB grant funding proposal to assign approval to political appointees was attended by 2,000 people. Watch the video Stand Up for Science is a registered 501(c)(4) social welfare organization.
EVENTS OF INTEREST
Trump and Higher Ed The Latest: Free webinar from the Chronicle of Higher Education; June 18, 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT Read more or register
REPORTS
FEDERAL RESEARCH BUDGET PROPOSALS: American Association for Advancement of Science's FY 2026 R&D Appropriations Dashboard has the latest.
REGAINING U.S. LEADERSHIP: National Academy of Sciences President Marcia McNutt's data-driven State of the Science address is followed by a panel discussion.
"NIH ROLE IN SUSTAINING THE U.S. ECONOMY: the $2.56 return for every $1 spent on research benefits every state. Download the full report or access state-by-state data
RESOURCES
COGR Updates provides an overview of ongoing federal policy developments.
Talking points and Congressional visit tips from AAAS.
Stand Up for Science offers tips for submitting public testimony and contacting Congressional representatives.
Save NSF Toolkit — tips for sharing the impact of NSF grants.
McClintock Letters Initiative — explaining research and why it matters.
Five Things to Know If Your Federal Grant is Terminated — advice from The Transmitor.
The High Stakes Hunt for Research Funding: Navigating the New Normal of Uncertainty — a Chronicle of Higher Education report (for purchase)
NEW: Council on Competiveness Releases Renewed Call to Action
The Council on Competitiveness and 50 of its members—including leaders from business, academia, nonprofits, major laboratories, and labor organizations—issued A Renewed Call to Action to ignite a new Golden Age of American innovation in May 2025. It outlines a six-point path forward that builds on the council's Competing in the Next Economy report and 2025 State of Competivieness: A New Age of Disruption and Discontinuity supplemental white paper. ARCS Foundation is a member of the Council.
9 ARCS partner universities were among 150 signatories on "A Call for Constructive Engagement," an open letter opposing “unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education.”
27 ARCS partner universities are among the 71 research institutions that make up the American Association of Universities. Recent reports include Americaʻs Stem Pipelines are Under Strain, Slow Release of Federal Research Funds, and U.S. Strenghs in Science Persist, but Chinaʻs Momentum is Growing.
27 ARCS partner universities are members of the Association of Public Land Grant Universities, which offers a discussion of public impact science on its website and a Guide to accelerate Public Access to Research Data.
“Americans deserve a government that funds the best ideas and the strongest science,” according to a June 2 statement opposing Office of Management and Budget proposed rule politicizing federal grantmaking. Read more
AAAS and the Royal Society's science diplomacy framework Science Diplomacy in an Era of Disruption, addresses increased economic competition, rapid technological advancements, the rise of non-state entities, and other challenges.
Facilities and administrative costs (also known as “F&A,” “indirect costs” or “overhead”) include a range of indirect expenses not directly covered by research grants—from janitorial and support staff, to utilities and computing, to workplace safety compliance and service contracts for high-end research equipment.
A video from ARCS partner university UC San Diego explains how F&A funding is the foundation of discovery.
Or view COGRʻs video or factsheet describing what F&A reimbursements (also known as indirect costs or overhead) are, how they are determined, and why they are important. COGR is an association of research universities (including 42 ARCS partner institutions), affiliated medical centers, and independent research institutes.
The Trump Administration has Launched its Biggest Threat Yet to Scientific Research
The Equation, Union of Concerned Scientists, June 3, 2026
HHS Is Now Weighing in on Science in NIH Grants
Science, June 1, 2026
White House Seeks to Tighten Political Oversight of Grantmaking
Science, May 29, 2026
White House Proposes New Rules Giving Political Appointees Final Approval on Research Grants
Scientific American, May 28, 2026
The Cost of Gutting Science is Invisible but Enormous
Bloomberg News Columnist Gautam Mukunda, May 4, 2026 (subscription required)
House Spending Panel Bumps Up Trump's Request for NSF and NASA
ScienceInsider, April 29, 2026
Guns and Bulletproof Vests: How Federal Agents Arrested Fauci Aide
ScienceInsider, April 29, 2026
Trump fires every member of the U.S. National Science Foundation’s governing body
ScienceInsider, April 25, 2026
Pace of NIH Funding Slows Further in Trump's Second Year
New York Times, April 22, 2026