In the last few weeks, the scientific community in the U.S. has faced unprecedented challenges from our current government administration. The current changes around policy shifts, funding priorities, and the overall climate for research have posed challenges that most of us are not sure how to navigate. These difficult times demand that we develop strategies that will help us survive and hopefully even thrive despite everything. As the Women in Cell Biology committee of ASCB, we want to acknowledge these challenges and reiterate our commitment to researchers who are feeling overwhelmed or hopeless. In the upcoming months, we will highlight stories of researchers who have weathered other storms and challenges through their careers.

Scientific endeavors have largely enjoyed undivided support from a wide range of political and ideological backgrounds. Unfortunately, such wide acceptance has not extended to all scientists, and certain groups in our society find it hard to pursue a career in science due to systemic and social barriers. The current challenges impact scientists from all backgrounds and we need to build a unified community to withstand these uncertain times. Below are some strategies that we can embrace as a scientific community.

Outreach and Communication
Science has traditionally enjoyed broad support, even during polarized times, because scientific research is perceived to improve quality of life. We have to emphasize how the research sector creates jobs, enhances national security, improves public health, and drives economic growth. We need to communicate to everyday Americans how organizations such as the NIH, NSF, NASA, NOAA, CDC, and FDA help their everyday life. It is important to build trust in communities where research has historically built mistrust or neglected needs. As science becomes accessible, more people will learn about the important work these organizations and the scientists funded by them do. Science is the pursuit of truth and facts. Banning certain topics in science based on ideological policies is harmful in the long-term. We need to explain in clear and simple terms why research related to race, gender and climate amongst other things is helpful to all. 

We propose building coalitions with groups that work on outreach and communication to develop accessible ways to explain complex scientific work to non-specialists. We need to meet people where they are by connecting research to local concerns and everyday life. In the last few weeks, several scientists have written op-eds for their local newspapers. This is an excellent and very effective way to take our message to people. You can find out more about how to write such columns and op-eds at this website (https://sciencehomecoming.com). In addition, we invite members to engage with ASCB’s committee on Science Communication, Outreach, and Public engagement (SCOPE). SCOPE organizes outreach activities to promote science communication and public engagement.

We also need to engage directly with policymakers and their staff. Many congressional representatives and their aides welcome expert input on issues affecting their districts. Scientists who can communicate the real-world impact of their work may find receptive audiences even among skeptical officials. This requires that we also learn how federal funding contributes to the betterment of our society and not just the research. Every $1 of NIH funding results in a return of $2.4 economic activity, and in many regions NIH/NSF funded research and institutions are major drivers of the economy. These funds lead to innovation, but also uplift the local economy and the lives of the taxpayers. Contacting policymakers by calling and writing to our elected officials can help to communicate this return on investment. ASCB’s Public Policy Committee also regularly meets with elected officials to educate them about policy measures that are beneficial to the scientific community. Advocacy Alerts from ASCB provides templates for calling congress people, and information on upcoming Virtual Hill Days for different states.

Funding and Career Support
We should fully support early-career and marginalized scientists who are particularly vulnerable to funding instability and policy pressures. Senior researchers can use their positions to speak up for and protect junior colleagues and mentor them through challenging periods. Universities should recognize the stresses of the current period and reevaluate their policies and metrics for hiring and promotions. If we do not step up, we are in danger of losing an entire generation of scientists. Just as labs were recovering from the hardships of the pandemic, they have been thrust into this current turmoil. We must think long-term to ensure that scientists and their labs survive this current challenge.

One practical strategy is to work on diversifying our funding sources to reduce vulnerability to federal budget shifts. We need to explore opportunities with private foundations, state governments, industry partners, and international collaborators. While federal funding is and will remain crucial for many research areas, having multiple revenue streams provides a buffer against policy changes. Similarly, institutions should help us weather the storm by providing bridge funding where they can.

As we face threats to fundamental research infrastructure, we have to be transparent and rigorous about our research. This includes maintaining meticulous records of research, methodologies, and findings that are easily available to all. Establishing robust data management plans to include backups of critical information will ensure that information is not lost even with unreliable infrastructure. We can develop partnerships with international institutions or non-governmental organizations to preserve data access.

Conclusion
Science advances through incremental progress over long timeframes and no matter the circumstances, scientific knowledge endures. As scientists, we are creative thinkers who solve complex problems. Even during this difficult period when funding may be tight, we can focus on methodological improvements, theoretical work, data analysis, and writing that will position us for major advances when conditions improve.

It is important to make sure that we take care of ourselves and those around us in these stressful times. We need to be kind to ourselves and show grace to others. Remember to take a break from it all from time to time and do something kind and fun for yourself. Finally, we need to maintain perspective. Science has weathered challenging political environments throughout history. The scientific enterprise is resilient precisely because it values evidence, transparency, and the collective pursuit of knowledge. By combining strategic pragmatism with unwavering commitment to scientific principles, researchers can navigate this challenging period while continuing to advance human knowledge.