US research funding faces uncertain future
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.027330
Nature : Federal scientific research spending has decreased by 16.3% since 2010, the most precipitous three-year drop to occur in the past four decades. As a result, many researchers have had their funding cut, and many more have been laid off. The sequestration that took effect in March when Congress failed to agree on an annual budget for 2013 only made things worse by decreasing the already diminished funding for most government agencies by another 5%. As fiscal year 2014 looms, further cuts of at least 2% may need to be imposed. In this dire science funding climate, universities may be better off than other research institutions because of secondary income sources, such as endowments and tuition.
