Explanation: Budget Cuts

Silencing Science Tracker

Explanation: Budget Cuts

2019-05-13 Children’s Health Research Program Cancelled by EPA EPA, Federal Budget Cuts Other

EPA announced that it will no longer participate in the Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Program. Established by EPA and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in 1998, the program funds 13 research centers, which “explore ways to reduce children’s health risks from environmental factors.”

2019-04-08 Trump Administration Cuts Conservation Research Funding Federal, White House Budget Cuts Climate

As a result of budget cuts by the Trump Administration, 16 out of 22 Land Conservation Cooperative research centers have been placed on indefinite hiatus or completely eliminated.

2019-03-11 NSF Budget Cuts Proposed for FY20 Federal, NSF Budget Cuts Climate, Other

The Trump administration’s FY2020 budget proposed to cut funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) by 9% (compared to FY2019 levels).

2019-03-11 DOE Budget Cuts Proposed for FY20 DOE, Federal Budget Cuts Climate, Other

The Trump administration’s FY2020 budget proposes to cut funding for DOE by 10.8% (compared to FY2019 levels). Under the budget, DOE’s innovation arm — the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) — would be eliminated, and funding for its Office of Science reduced by 16.5%.

2019-03-11 NIH Budget Cuts Proposed for FY2020 Federal, HHS Budget Cuts Other

The Trump administration’s FY2020 budget proposes to cut funding for HHS by 11.9% (compared to FY2019 levels). Funding for the National Institutes of Health, within HHS, would decline by 12.6% (compared to FY 2019 levels).

2019-03-11 NASA Budget Cuts Proposed for FY20 Federal, NASA Budget Cuts Climate, Other

The Trump administration’s FY2020 budget proposes to increase funding for NASA by 1.4 percent (compared to FY2019 levels). However, while total funding for NASA would increase, several key research programs would face cuts. In particular, the budget eliminates funding for the WFIRST space telescope, and two earth science missions.

2019-03-11 USDA Budget Cuts Proposed for FY20 Federal, USDA Budget Cuts Climate, Other

The Trump administration’s FY2020 budget proposes to cut USDA funding by 14.8% (compared to FY2019 levels). The cuts would affect several USDA research programs, including the Agricultural Research Service which would see its funding decline by 9.5%, and the National Agricultural Statistics Service which would see its funding decline by 14.7%.

2019-03-11 NOAA Budget Cuts Proposed for FY20 DOC, Federal Budget Cuts Other

The Trump administration’s FY2020 budget proposes to increase funding for DOC by 9.3 percent (compared to FY2019 levels). However, while total funding for DOC would increase, several NOAA-administered research programs would face cuts. In particular, the budget proposes to eliminate funding for “Sea Grant, Coastal Zone Management Grants, and the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery,” to “allow NOAA to better target remaining resources to core missions and services.”

2019-03-11 DOI Budget Cuts Proposed for FY20 DOI, Federal Budget Cuts Climate, Other

The Trump administration’s FY2020 budget proposes to reduce funding for DOI by 10.9% (compared to FY2019 levels). Funding for DOI’s research arm — the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) — would decline by 14.4 percent (compared to FY2019 levels).

2019-03-11 EPA Budget Cuts Proposed for FY20 EPA, Federal Budget Cuts Climate, Other

The Trump administration’s FY2020 budget proposes to cut EPA funding by 31.2% (compared to FY2019 levels), and eliminate a number of the agency’s research and education programs, including the Climate Change Research Program and the Environmental Education Program.

2018-09-05 Research Funding Reallocated by HHS Federal, HHS Budget Cuts Other

HHS announced that it would use funds originally allocated to research and other programs to cover the costs of its Unaccompanied Alien Children program. A total of $266 million will be re-diverted, including $87.3 million originally allocated to the National Institutes of Health for cancer and other research.

2018-07-31 Climate Change Omitted from List of White House R&D Priorities Federal, White House Budget Cuts, Government Censorship, Research Hindrance Climate

The White House Office of Management and Budget and Office of Science and Technology Policy jointly released a memorandum outlining the Trump administration’s research and development priorities. Unlike previous versions, issued during the Obama administration, the memorandum does not list climate change as a priority area.

2018-07-16 Online Medical Guidelines Database Removed by HHS Federal, HHS Budget Cuts Other

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, removed an online medical guidelines database. The database, known as the National Guideline Clearinghouse, was thought to be the world’s most comprehensive online repository of medical guidelines.

2018-06-22 North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Budget Cut NC, State Budget Cuts, Personnel Changes Other

The North Carolina legislature rejected a proposal from Governor Roy Cooper to increase funding for the state Department of Environmental Quality to enable it to hire scientists to work on water pollution issues. Instead, the legislature voted to cut the Department’s funding by $1.8 million, which critics say will lead to job losses.

2018-06-20 Florida Citrus Department Budget Cuts Proposed for 2018-19 FL, State Budget Cuts Other

The Florida Department of Citrus’ 2018-19 budget proposed to reduce funding for scientific research by $48,700. The reductions are reportedly necessary due to lower than expected revenues.

2018-06-18 EPA Research Grants Cancelled at Direction of Political Appointee EPA, Federal Budget Cuts Climate, Other

A political appointee at EPA — the Deputy Director for Public Affairs John Konkus — ordered the cancellation of at least four grants for research on climate change and related topics.

2018-05-9 NASA Climate Research Program Cancelled Federal, NASA Budget Cuts Climate

NASA cancelled its Carbon Monitoring System (CMS), a $10 million-a-year program, which provides funding for research aimed at improving the measurement of carbon stocks and fluxes.

2018-05 Engineering Positions in Virginia Beach’s Stormwater Division Eliminated Local Govt., State, VA Budget Cuts, Personnel Changes Climate

The Virginia Beach city council announced that it would suspend a storm water fee increase, which was intended to pay for additional staff to work on issues relating to sea level rise. As a result of the suspension, nine staff positions will be left unfilled.

2018-02-27 EPA Research Center to be Eliminated EPA, Federal Budget Cuts, Personnel Changes Other

EPA’s National Center for Environmental Research, which distributes grants for research on the effects of chemical exposure, will be eliminated as part of an agency reorganization involving the merger of three research offices.

2018-02-12 NASA Budget Cuts Proposed for FY19 Federal, NASA Budget Cuts Climate, Other

The Trump administration’s FY2019 budget proposes to reduce funding for NASA by 0.3% (compared to FY2017 levels). Among other things, the budget would eliminate funding for the international space station from 2025, cancel a project to upgrade communications satellites, and terminate five earth sciences research missions.

2018-02-12 EPA Budget Cuts Proposed for FY19 EPA, Federal Budget Cuts Climate, Other

The Trump administration’s FY2019 budget proposes to cut EPA funding by 33.7% (compared to FY2017 levels), and eliminate a number of the agency’s research and education programs, including the Climate Change Research and Partnership Program and the Environmental Education Program.

2018-02-12 DOI Budget Cuts Proposed for FY19 DOI, Federal Budget Cuts Climate, Other

The Trump administration’s FY2019 budget proposes to reduce funding for DOI by 16.8% (compared to FY2017 levels). The reductions are achieved, in part, through cuts to various DOI grant programs.

2018-02-12 USDA Budget Cuts Proposed for FY19 Federal, USDA Budget Cuts Climate, Other

The Trump administration’s FY2019 budget proposes to cut USDA funding by 16.4% (compared to FY2017 levels). Under the budget, funding for a number of USDA research programs, including statistical research programs administered by the Economic Research Service, would be reduced or eliminated.

2018-02-12 NSF Program Cuts Proposed for FY19 Federal, NSF Budget Cuts Climate, Other

The Trump administration’s FY2019 budget proposes cuts to a number of National Science Foundation (NSF) programs, including a 56% reduction in the NSF account that supports the construction of research platforms and the acquisition of scientific instruments.

2018-02-12 DOE Program Cuts Proposed for FY19 DOE, Federal Budget Cuts Climate, Other

The Trump administration’s FY2019 budget proposes to cut funding for DOE by 3.4% (compared to FY2017 levels). Funding for DOE’s innovation arm, the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), would be eliminated and funding for its Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy cut in half.

2018-02-12 NIH Budget Cuts Proposed for FY19 Federal, HHS Budget Cuts Other

The Trump administration’s FY2019 budget proposes to maintain funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at FY2017 levels, despite imposing additional responsibilities on the NIH, including establishing three new sub-institutes to take over functions currently performed by other HHS offices.

2018-02-12 NOAA Budget Cuts Proposed for FY19 DOC, Federal Budget Cuts Climate, Other

The Trump administration’s FY2019 budget proposes to reduce funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration by 20% compared to FY2017 levels. Among other things, the budget would eliminate $273 million in funding for NOAA grant programs, including the National Sea Grant College Program and National Estuarine Research Reserve System.

2018-02 Proposal to Defund Wyoming Environmental Quality Council Approved by State House of Representatives State, WY Budget Cuts Other

The Wyoming House of Representatives voted to withhold funding from the state’s Environmental Quality Council. The vote was reportedly prompted by a concern that the Council, which reviews matters relating to environmental pollution, is too “anti-business.”

2018-01-16 Cuts to Funding for Scientific Research Proposed in Kentucky KY, State Budget Cuts Climate

Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin proposed a two-year budget that would cut state spending by 6.25%. The cuts would affect numerous scientific research program, including the Kentucky Mesonet, which would have its funding eliminated.

2018-01 Research Funding Cut by Florida Citrus Department FL, State Budget Cuts Other

The Florida Department of Citrus cut $70,000 from its scientific research, marketing, and administration budgets. The cuts were reportedly necessary due to lower than expected revenues.

2017-12-28 New Grants Process Adopted by DOI DOI, Federal Budget Cuts, Research Hindrance Other

DOI staff were directed to ensure that grants to outside groups promote the Trump Administration’s policies and have certain grants of $50,000 or more approved by political appointees.

2017-12 Funding for Offshore Drilling Safety Study Suspended DOI, Federal Budget Cuts Other

DOI ordered the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to “stop-work” on a study of offshore oil and gas drilling commissioned by BSEE pending review.

2017-12 10 Year Research Project Cancelled by DOE DOE, Federal Budget Cuts Climate

DOE cancelled an ongoing project researching how tropical forests will respond to climate change. The study, which involved over 130 scientists, was launched in 2015 and due to continue until 2025, but will shut down 7 years early (in 2018).

2017-08-18 Coal Mining Study Paused by DOI DOI, Federal Budget Cuts Other

DOI’s Office of Surface Mining directed the National Academy of Sciences to stop work on a study of potential health effects from mountaintop removal coal mining. DOI had previously committed $1 million for the study, but is now reconsidering its funding decision.

2017-08-17 Climate Change Omitted from White House’s List of FY2019 R&D Priorities Federal, White House Budget Cuts, Government Censorship Climate

The White House Office of Management and Budget and Office of Science and Technology Policy jointly released a memorandum outlining the Trump administration’s research and development priorities. Unlike previous versions, issued during the Obama administration, the memorandum does not list climate change as a priority area.

2017-08 EPA Grants Reviewed by Political Appointee EPA, Federal Budget Cuts, Research Hindrance Climate

EPA announced that it will require new and certain existing grants to be approved by a political appointee, who has told staff he is looking for references to “climate change.”

2017-07-21 Florida Citrus Department Budget Cuts Proposed for 2017-18 FL, State Budget Cuts Other

The Florida Department of Citrus’ 2017-18 budget proposed to reduce funding for scientific research. The reductions are reportedly necessary due to lower than expected revenues.

2017-07 Research Grants Cancelled by HHS Federal, HHS Budget Cuts Other

HHS cancelled $213.6 million in funding for teen pregnancy prevention programs and research. The cancellation will affect five-year grants awarded to 80 institutions by the Obama administration.

2017-05-23 Cuts to FY2018 Funding for National Hansen’s Disease Program Proposed Federal, HHS Budget Cuts Other

The Trump administration’s FY2018 budget proposed a 23% cut in funding the National Hansen’s Disease Program. The program, which is operated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration, conducts research on leprosy.

2017-05-23 DOD’s FY18 Budget Request Cut by Trump Administration DOD, Federal Budget Cuts Climate, Other

The Trump administration’s proposed FY2018 budget included $347 million in funding for climate and environmental research at DOD. This represents less than 1% of the amount requested by DOD and would result in cuts to several research programs.

2017-05-23 DOE’s FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration DOE, Federal Budget Cuts Climate, Other

The Trump administration’s FY2018 budget proposes a 59% cut in funding for DOE’s earth and environmental sciences program which plays a key role in federal climate change research.

2017-05-23 NIH’s FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration Federal, HHS Budget Cuts Other

The Trump administration’s FY2018 budget proposed a 25% cut in funding for research programs at NIH’s National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

2017-05-23 DHS’s FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration DHS, Federal Budget Cuts Climate, Other

The Trump administration’s FY 2018 budget proposed an 11% cut in funding for DHS programs supporting climate and other environmental research.

2017-05-23 DOI’s FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration DOI, Federal Budget Cuts Climate, Other

The Trump administration’s FY2018 budget proposed a 19% cut in funding for climate and environmental research programs at DOI.

2017-05-23 EPA’s FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration EPA, Federal Budget Cuts Climate, Other

The Trump administration’s FY2018 budget proposes to cut funding for EPA climate and environmental research programs by 39% or $438 million.

2017-05-23 NASA’s FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration Federal, NASA Budget Cuts Climate, Other

The Trump administration’s FY2018 budget proposes to cut funding for NASA climate and environmental research programs by 8% or $151 million.

2017-05-23 NOAA’s FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration DOC, Federal Budget Cuts Climate, Other

The Trump administration’s FY2018 budget proposed to cut funding for NOAA’s climate and environmental research programs by 7% or $49 million.

2017-05-23 NSF’s FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration Federal, NSF Budget Cuts Climate, Other

The Trump administration’s FY2018 budget proposed a 10% cut funding in for the National Science Foundation (NSF)’s climate and environmental research programs. This is expected to lead to 800 fewer awards to universities and other institution in 2018 compared to 2017.

2017-05-23 USDA’s FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration Federal, USDA Budget Cuts Climate, Other

The Trump administration’s FY2018 budget proposed a 12% cut in funding for USDA climate and environmental research programs.

2017-05-03 Missouri Stream Gauges To Be Deactivated MO, State Budget Cuts, Research Hindrance Other

Due to state budget cuts, the Missouri Water Science Center will be forced to deactivate 20% of the state’s river and stream gauges, beginning in July 2017.

2017-04-11 Proposal to Defund State Research Centers Advanced by Iowa Legislature IA, State Budget Cuts Other

The Iowa legislature published its proposed state education budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017. Under the proposal, state funding for education would be cut by $20 million, compared to the 2016 fiscal year. The cuts would be achieved, in part, by eliminating funding for two research centers at Iowa State University.

2017-04-11 Funding for Oklahoma Science Fair Eliminated OK, State Budget Cuts, Interference with Education Other

The Oklahoma Science and Engineering Fair, and several regional science fairs, are to be cancelled in 2018 due to a lack of funding from the state government.

2017-02-08 Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine Slated for Closure State, WI Budget Cuts, Government Censorship Climate, Other

In his budget proposal for 2017-19, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker recommended that the state Department of Natural Resources cease publishing a bimonthly magazine, providing information on environmental issues. Critics say the move is intended to “create a vacuum and black out information on very important environmental issues” such as climate change.

2017-02-08 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Science Bureau Slated for Closure State, WI Budget Cuts, Personnel Changes Climate, Other

In his budget proposal for 2017-19, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker recommended eliminating the Department of Natural Resources’ central science services bureau, and reassigning its 15 staff to other positions.

2017-01-20 Research Grants Suspended by EPA EPA, Federal, White House Budget Cuts Climate, Other

On December 20, 2017, Trump administration official ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to suspend all research grants.

2017 Four Climate Fellowships Rescinded by NOAA DOC, Federal Budget Cuts Climate

Budget cuts resulted in NOAA rescinding four of the eight offers made to researchers to participate in the 2017 Climate and Global Change Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. As a result, fewer researchers participated in the 2017 program than in any other year since it was launched.

2016-12 Kansas Bioscience Authority Privatized KS, State Budget Cuts Other

The Kansas legislature approved a proposal to privatize the Kansas Bioscience Authority (KBA) as part of a plan to address shortfalls in the state budget. The KBA was established in 2004 to support research in the bioscience sector.