When we stop funding science, we hurt our future

Science drives progress, but only if we keep investing in it

As Congress debates whether to fund science in a sustained and robust way, the dreams of thousands of researchers — and the hope they represent for humanity — hang in the balance.

APS has heard from many of them. There’s a scientist in New York whose research could lead to a new breakthrough in breast cancer treatment, but who now worries her work will be left unfinished. Another researcher in Ohio, whose work could one day help propel hypersonic vehicles into space, is afraid that his lab may go dark. A third in New Mexico fears that without stable funding, we’ll lose an entire generation of young scientists, full of promise, including researchers from around the world who are worried about whether they can continue to study and work in the U.S.

These aren’t abstract concerns. They’re stories from real people, from all corners of the world, chasing discoveries that embody our shared hope for a better future. And when funding dries up, those hopes begin to flicker out. Research slows. Labs close. The cures, the innovations, the life-changing technologies — they’re delayed, or lost altogether.

What we stand to lose

The consequences don’t stop at the laboratory door. When scientific progress stalls, communities everywhere feel the strain. Public health becomes more vulnerable to the next pandemic. The tools we need to confront emerging threats, from climate disasters to cybersecurity risks, remain underdeveloped. Our capacity to work alongside international partners to solve urgent global challenges — eradicating poverty, ensuring energy resilience, securing the food supply — diminishes.

We lose the chance to discover the next life-saving breakthrough, like proton therapy, a powerful treatment for cancer that traces its origin to federally funded research. We lose out on the materials science research that leads to safer, longer-lasting roads. And perhaps most heartbreakingly, we lose the next generation of thinkers and doers who are ready to tackle the hardest problems we face. The cost of inaction, measured in lost opportunities and diminished well-being, reaches us all. When we fail to fund science, we don't just slow progress; we silence potential.

Science funding benefits society

Decades ago, physics researchers laid the groundwork that led to the MRI, now a routine part of modern medicine. Other publicly funded experiments served as the foundation for technologies like the Internet, Doppler radar, and GPS. Even the most recognizable companies in the world have roots in government-funded science. Google began with a research grant. Qualcomm’s wireless breakthroughs came from military funded projects. And Moderna’s rapid COVID-19 vaccine rollout was made possible by years of sustained investment in biotechnology research. Through all those innovations, physics and physicists played leading roles, thanks to federally funded research.

Science is an economic driver, too. According to studies, more than half of all economic growth in the U.S. since World War II has been fueled by scientific innovation. Backed by agencies like the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, breakthroughs in fiber optics, clean energy, DNA research, and beyond have powered not only progress, but also prosperity.

Meanwhile, cutting science funding threatens our livelihoods; a 2025 American University analysis likens the economic effects of a 25% cut to federal spending on research and development to the U.S. gross domestic product losses of the 2008 financial crisis, while a 50% cut “would make the average American approximately $10,000 poorer." And this is just in the U.S. When science budgets are cut anywhere, the ripple effects can be felt worldwide, slowing global progress and innovation that benefits all people.

The evidence is clear — when we fund science, we invest in our health, economies, and shared future. APS is committed to standing up for robust science funding, and we invite you to join in:

• Visit our APS in Action hub for resources on advocating for science and making a positive impact in your community.
• Support science by sharing credible stories, research findings, and personal experiences within your networks, supporting or volunteering for science advocacy groups, mentoring students, or organizing public events to inspire curiosity and build public trust.
• Anyone facing financial hardship can request a membership fee waiver, and everyone is welcome to join initiatives like the APS Science Trust Project, which works to strengthen belief in sound science worldwide.

Thank you for your support, your membership, and for being part of our community.