27 UNIHTED Warns Trump NIH Management Risks Generational Loss as Science Workforce Falls 118,000
Updated
Updated · Federal News Network · Jun 9
27 UNIHTED Warns Trump NIH Management Risks Generational Loss as Science Workforce Falls 118,000
1 articles · Updated · Federal News Network · Jun 9
Summary
A June 9 letter from 27 UNIHTED said NIH has shifted from the “chaos of 2025” to “systematic, institutionalized destruction” in 2026, citing an unstable research environment, lost expertise, low morale and delayed awards.
Those complaints track a broader Partnership for Public Service report showing science-related agencies lost nearly 118,000 workers between September 2024 and February 2026, accounting for about 40% of the federal workforce decline.
Funding cuts are compounding the staffing losses: the White House requested $46.8 billion for civilian R&D in fiscal 2026 versus $73 billion enacted in 2025, while science-agency project grants fell 24% from 2024 to $112.6 billion in 2025.
The nonprofit also warned proposed OMB grant rules would give political appointees a bigger role in discretionary awards and make terminations easier, reducing the role of career scientists in grantmaking.
HHS said NIH remains committed to rigorous science and open inquiry, but the report argues the combined cuts could inflict a “generational loss” on U.S. scientific capacity.
What are the immediate risks to public health and safety from these agency cuts?
How will the exodus of scientific talent affect America's global leadership in innovation?
Who will drive future U.S. scientific breakthroughs as federal funding is redirected?
The 2025-2026 Federal Science Crisis: Workforce Cuts, Grant Cancellations, and the Threat to U.S. Innovation
Overview
Between 2025 and 2026, federal science agencies faced an immediate and severe crisis marked by significant workforce and funding reductions. Staff left through layoffs, buyouts, retirements, and resignations, leading to a shrinking talent pool in critical institutions. Many researchers exited the scientific field or left the U.S., causing permanent damage to America’s scientific capacity. The National Institutes of Health, despite a $47.2 billion budget for 2026, saw a dramatic slowdown in grant awards and funding opportunities. These changes threaten the stability and future of U.S. science, with long-term impacts on research, innovation, and global leadership.