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

All Government Shutdowns Disrupt Science – In 2025, the Consequences Extend Far Beyond a Lapse in Funding

Government shutdowns have always disrupted scientific progress, but the current situation under the Trump administration is unprecedented. The administration is not merely reforming the U.S. research system—it is actively attempting to remake it.

Impact on Science During Shutdowns

Funding lapses force government scientists to stay home without pay.
Federal agencies halt new grant opportunities.
Expert review panels are suspended.
Collection and analysis of critical public datasets—covering the economy, environment, and public health—come to a standstill.

Higher Stakes in 2025

This shutdown occurs amid sweeping changes to American science and innovation, driven by President Donald Trump’s efforts to expand executive power and exert political control over scientific institutions. As the shutdown enters its fifth week with no resolution in sight, the administration’s rapid and controversial changes to federal research policy are fundamentally altering 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.

Personal Perspective

As a physicist and policy scholar, I study and have a direct stake in the state of U.S. science funding, having received federal grants. My work focuses on the history and governance of American science policy, including national investments in research and development.

Author’s summary: The 2025 government shutdown is reshaping the U.S. research landscape, threatening both scientific autonomy and the public benefits derived from federally funded science.

The Conversation — 2025-11-04