President Trump’s attacks on funding for the arts and the humanities, as well as support for scientific and medical research, might well reach the level of an existential threat if his 2026 budget is approved by Congress. His draconian cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities last spring are being followed by proposals to eliminate these programs altogether. The budget put forward by the administration also includes a nearly 40% cut to the National Institutes of Health and an almost 50% reduction in funds for the National Science Foundation.
Eliminating or slashing support for these agencies would mean a return to the white-washed histories of last century, the erasure of art programs, and the exclusion of already disenfranchised groups from the creative and scientific life of this country. The loss of funding would end life-saving research projects, shutter labs, eliminate jobs, and cut graduate programs.
The American Association of University Professors is asking members in all states to call or write to their elected officials and urge them to protect research funding (https://www.aaup.org/about/programs/government-relations/fighting-science-and-research-funding) . While budget negotiations are currently stalled, and a partial federal shut-down looms, the Congressional budget process will eventually resume, and legislators will determine specific levels of funding – if any – for all these agencies.
Suggestions for what to include in your call or letter:
- Maintain funding levels for the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
- Strengthen the legislative language and oversight efforts to ensure the Trump administration disburses federal grants in accordance with existing law and free from political interference.
- Preserve the appropriations provision that prohibits the Trump administration from making unilateral changes to indirect costs – changing the formula for how grant funds are disbursed would seriously endanger key operations at colleges and universities.
- Protect access to education by opposing cuts to Pell grants for students with financial need, the TRIO program supporting first generation college students, loan programs for graduate students, and income-based repayment plans that protect college graduates against default.
How to contact your legislators:
Colorado Senators
Colorado Representatives, Fort Collins area
