WashU is facing an assault on one of the core parts of its mission: advancing research and innovation. The Trump administration has proposed caps on research funding that are threatening millions of dollars to WashU researchers and scientists. 

On June 13, 2025, Chancellor Martin informed the WashU community that Congress is considering capping reimbursements for indirect research costs, which support general research needs, at 15%. The implications of this policy change would predominantly affect the medical school, stripping millions of dollars from WashU researchers and threatening financial aid for talented medical students and researchers.

We are members of the Bears’ Caucus, a new program that allows students to serve as ambassadors for WashU’s interests. Our work engages with a wide range of political issues that affect students’ lives and futures. We’ve recently shifted our focus to federally-funded research because we care deeply about the future of research and education at our university.  Across campus, we have noticed a growing sense of anxiety surrounding potential funding cuts among our peers across every major and department. 

Many of us are also involved in research, and we know how much these opportunities shape our academic and professional paths. Feeling the threat of our projects being underfunded has made the issue deeply personal.

As members of the Caucus, we have traveled to Jefferson City and met with members of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen to introduce ourselves and begin building relationships with lawmakers to better share students’ stories. But now we know it is time to do more. The impacts of these cuts will be felt directly by our friends, peers, and professors.

As negotiations for the 2026 fiscal year (FY26) budget continue, time is running out, as Sept. 30, 2025 is the deadline to pass funding legislation for FY26. Per President Trump’s budget request, the U.S. could expect exorbitant cuts to science and technology funding. Proposed cuts include a 56% cut to the National Science Foundation (NSF) and a 40% cut to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). WashU receives the second-most NIH funding nationwide, securing $683 million in research funding in FY24.

Federally-funded research, via grants from the NIH, NSF, and more, has been the catalyst for groundbreaking advancements at WashU. NIH-supported WashU Medicine scientists have discovered cost-efficient blood tests for Alzheimer’s disease, nasal vaccines for COVID-19, and potential treatments for childhood kidney diseases. 

Federally-funded research also impacts the greater St. Louis region. The economic impact of research funded by the NIH yields $2.56 in the local economy for every $1 invested. Moreover, federally-funded research allows students across campus, especially low-income students, to participate in societal and medical breakthroughs. WashU is known for its strong pre-med program and access to research and now risks losing the essential funding and support that makes these opportunities possible.

If WashU wants to sustain its standing as an elite university while serving the needs of its greater region, research must remain a top priority. We’ve seen similar cuts decimate other colleges like Columbia University, which has lost over $400 million in federal research funding. These cuts led to the termination of 20% of the university’s researchers. 

Unfortunately, research cuts also affect major programs outside of the medical field. Federal grant dollars support graduate student stipends, undergraduate research opportunities, and lab assistant jobs. The WashU Senior Survey showed that nearly 60% of graduating students have engaged in some kind of undergraduate research experience in the College of Arts & Sciences. If funding for these research experiences is no longer available, that number could drastically decrease. Early career scientists, doctoral students, professors, and undergraduates across every school will all face the impact of these budget cuts if appropriate action isn’t taken. 

It is not a stretch to say that the future of innovation is being negotiated right now. If Congress caps research funding or goes through with NIH and NSF cuts, WashU’s labs, students, and communities will severely suffer. Now is not a time to be passive.
WashU students have a responsibility and an opportunity to advocate for the research that saves lives and strengthens communities. On Friday, Sept. 26, the Bears’ Caucus is putting on a “Digital Advocacy Day” to implore WashU students to write to members of Congress and urge them to stop the cuts to research funding. 

Student outreach in particular is key to WashU’s advocacy efforts. Students have personal stories that deserve to be heard, and an outpouring of student support for research can convince those with the power to stop these attacks on research and science.

Here is how you can get involved and make a difference: Firstly, you can join WashU’s Digital Advocacy Day to flood Congress with student voices demanding sustained research funding. Next, outside of Digital Advocacy Day, you can email your U.S. senators and representatives and urge them to protect funding for NIH, NSF, and indirect cost reimbursements. Finally, organize peer awareness, talk to your classmates, your friends, your family. The more voices we raise, the harder we are to ignore. 

WashU’s research breakthroughs have created positive, life-saving change on campus, in St. Louis, and beyond. It’s time to step up and make your voice heard for the future of science and our University.

Signed,

Elena Wierich

Chantal Ogbeifun

Tonya Rice

Birk Evavold

Hieran Andeberhan

Luke Johnston

Megan Manaj

Sol Manis

Isaac Plutzer

Victoria Ogbeifun

Lukas Daniels

Chinonso Anyanwu

Rayna Friedman

Jade Beauregard

Omotunde Oguntoyinbo

Albertina Lee

Emaan Sayied

Shamel Basaria

Sophie Hsu

Anna Siegel 

Kaie Hall

Paul Scott

Tanya Keskar 

Ethan Skolnick

Wiktoria Roziecki