President Trump’s return to office on Jan. 24 has quickly sparked controversy and confusion at Penn State University. The executive orders attacking the National Institutes of Health (NIH) include new restrictions, limits, alleged freezing for federal grants, and sudden cancellations of grant review panels. The $47.4 billion dollar industry of NIH, one of the nation’s largest research agencies, has quickly been changed for the worse; leaving students, doctors, and professors fearing for the future of their careers.
On Jan. 29, President Trump rescinded his previous claims regarding the freezing of federal grants and funding, in response to the nation’s outcry. But White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt took to the social media platform X, claiming there won’t be a cancelation of the funding freeze. At universities like Penn State, many students rely on federal grants to provide further opportunities, research, and funding. For students deciding their future career paths, the freezing of grants is detrimental.
“Trump’s executive orders have threatened to cut funding (and in some cases) stopped funding to critical research and public health programs that are designed to feed children, low-income, the older adults (e.g., Meals on Wheels), and critically important scientific research,” Kathleen L. Keller, Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences Director Metabolic Kitchen, and Children’s Eating Behavior Laboratory at Penn State, said.
“Funding for research is the issue that most closely affects me. Science is a slow process, and the scientific studies we are doing now may lead to important lifesaving medical advances in years to come. However, when funding is suddenly halted, entire labs have to shut down because they can no longer pay their staff. Years of institutional memory are lost, along with a generation of scientists who essentially leave the field because they can’t find stable employment. This will have major implications for the United States’ standing in the world in regards to science and discovery,” Keller said.
With many State High graduates attending Penn State, students are left wondering what this means for their future degree, asking ‘how does this policy really affect them?’
For over 45 years, the federal Pell Grant program has been the backbone for college students in need of financial assistance, further helping millions of students receive the education they worked so hard to get. Helping students to receive an equitable education, and giving students the ability to further their own research has boosted college enrollment, reduced dropout rates, and improved student outcomes in the real world.
Senior students at State High who have spent the past four years strictly taking courses to get into Penn State programs like nursing, biochemistry, and health and nutrition, are left worried if they will even have a major next year. Beyond the collective confusion within science research and courses, many students are wondering if the money they put into AP courses and training programs was necessary.
“I just think he [Trump] is making bad decisions and doesn’t realize what he is doing, and I think what he thinks is going to happen is not going to happen, and when he not gonna accept the actions of his own conscience for the education system,” junior Thomas Marshall said.
In the past, NIH has always awarded research grants to students after two separate panels consisting of individual specialists for the particular science field have approved the project proposal. However, on Jan. 22, it was revealed that the review panels previously scheduled for Feb. 2, had been canceled. There was no information regarding when the panels might be rescheduled.
Keller also mentioned the impact on WIC, the USDA’s special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children.
“The longer-term impacts of Trump’s policies will be increasing disparities between the wealthiest 0.1% and the rest of us, with those who live in poverty suffering the most. WIC alone is incredibly common, with one out of every two women and children accessing WIC services at some point. If funding decreases for WIC and SNAP, they will be unable to help many families in need. Research studies continually show that WIC reduces infant mortality, improves pregnancy outcomes, improves breastfeeding support and initiation, etc,” Keller said.
As of right now, students in their “early career research” phase collectively hold their breath to see what is to come next. These research grants can threaten student’s chances of getting hired, promotions, and expanding their science inquiries.
