Senator Baldwin Criticizes Trump Administration's NSF Grant Cancellations

NSF Grant Cancellations and Global Competitiveness

• 💡 Senator Baldwin is proposing an amendment to restore over 1,500 grants terminated by the Trump administration at the National Science Foundation, excluding those cancelled for financial mismanagement.
• 🎯 She argues that cancelling research grants undermines U.S. global competitiveness in science and innovation.
• 📌 In Wisconsin alone, nearly $18 million in previously awarded NSF grants have been cancelled, impacting research on women in STEM, mathematics engagement, and genomics bioethics.

Impact on States and Funding

• 📊 The transcript details significant funding cancellations across several states: Alaska ($3 million), Arkansas ($9 million), Alabama ($30 million), Michigan ($35 million), and Georgia ($52 million).
• 🌍 Senator Baldwin emphasizes that every member of the committee has had research grants terminated for universities in their states, urging colleagues to support her amendment.
• 🏛️ The amendment aims to preserve the committee's authority to set NSF funding levels, expecting those funds to be spent as appropriated.

Opposition to the Amendment

• ⚠️ Senator Moran acknowledges the effort to ensure the NSF fulfills its mission but opposes the amendment due to its overly broad scope.
• 🔬 He is concerned the amendment would mandate the reinstatement of grants terminated for reasons beyond financial mismanagement, such as research fraud, lack of scientific merit, or other issues.