CAMB Students’ Thoughts on funding, the state of science, and the NIH

Given the events in the headlines lately regarding the current administration and changes to the NIH, we asked CAMB students to share how they are feeling about research, funding, and science in general. Here is a selection of their responses. An unabridged list of responses is available on our blog.

How are you feeling about recent events around the state of science and funding?

TL;DR: CAMB students are generally worried about maintaining their graduation timeline and are considering changing their career plans for after graduation. Many believe that the effects of these actions will last decades.

• I am very concerned that I may have issues completing my thesis work as originally planned, either leading to compromising the quality of my research and/or extending the length of my degree.

• Terrified. Ready to master out and find a job overseas where science is respected.

• I am anxious, angry, and appalled that things have gone this far fairly quickly and that it doesn't seem like it will come to an end any time soon. How anyone can justify so many blatant attacks on not only science, but also our basic rights is beyond me.

• The uncertainty about funding will have long lasting negative impacts for the foreseeable future regardless of whether these cuts even go into effect

• I feel very nervous about the future of science as well as the state of my career if these funding cuts continue.

• A little numb. It's clear there's nothing I can really do so I have to just roll with the punches and adapt, and also look for jobs outside of academia and possibly all bench science jobs for when I graduate.

• I think it is concerning that the federal government is claiming that funding that goes into scientific research is being squandered and implying that the necessity for these funds is fraudulent. It places both the government and the general public in opposition to the important work that we do to improve the lives of as many people as possible.

• It makes pursuing a career in academia seem precarious and less certain. It’s affected the jobs I’m looking for as I finish up my PhD.

If your PI HAS addressed recent events, did you find this conversation sufficiently addressed your concerns? Why or why not?

TL;DR: Overall, CAMB students were comforted and appreciative when their PIs addressed recent events, but often found the conversation insufficient. However, they recognized that their PIs aren’t going to have all of the answers. In contrast, some students found their PIs’ responses to be dismissive or tone deaf. In cases where PIs have not addressed recent events at all, CAMB students report feeling abandoned and disheartened.

Selected responses:

• It was good for our PI to candidly talk to us all and build solidarity because we don't know what will happen next.

• No – addressing it was limited to an email saying that we shouldn't worry about our positions much and that we should just continue doing the work we are doing – it reads slightly tone deaf and I wish there was more compassion about not only the things happening to science, but also other recent executive orders that have a large impact on the community.

• Yes, they focused on how it affects our lab in particular in the short and long term. I think no one really knows what employment or opportunities are going to look like with these changes so it's hard to ask them to address unknowns. They know as little as we do.

• Not really – my PI said that the department and the university has not provided any concrete information, so my PI was just speculating also. They said that they couldn't make any commitments or promises until they heard back from BGS, but also said that BGS hadn't communicated anything with them.

• My PI has remarked about being more careful about the resources we use because of funding issues and has encouraged us to pursue additional funding opportunities for our projects. However, my PI has not directly addressed the NIH budget cuts. However, this has not sufficiently addressed my concerns because I am more concerned about how Penn will respond to massive budget cuts for indirect costs that support much of the research-related infrastructure that seem impossible to make up.

• Yes she did a great job summarizing the situation, what she knows, and how it affects us.

• No, I didn't feel like it was sufficient. However, I know that my PI doesn't necessarily also have all the insights onto what is happening at higher levels at Penn

• It addressed my concerns in that I know she was telling us as much as she knows, and I know that she's in our corner, but did it make me less worried? No.

What do you wish you were hearing from Penn/BGS/CAMB administration?

TL;DR: Overall, CAMB students want transparency about decision making and policy changes that are being considered and implemented. Students feel frustrated by the lack of culpability that has been taken by administration thus far, in both lack of support offered to at risk identity groups and in funding cut excuses. They want to hear about contingency plans, possible legal action and what will be guaranteed moving forward.

• More explicitly assuring women and people of color that they are still valid members of the scientific community and that their identities will not be erased.

• I wish there were more transparency with things going on behind closed doors. I also wish Penn as a top university would stand up for DEI and against the current administration's attacks on science.

• Reassurances that our research and time is valued. That you will fight to protect your students, especially international and LGBTQIA+ students.

• I wish Penn would stop pushing off culpability by saying they're unable to use endowment funds to support research, when their 2025 operating budget document shows Penn was estimated to net 685 million dollars in their assets in 2024 and continue to pay their top executives millions of dollars of additional salary.

• Resources for finding funding and job opportunities that are outside of the NIH and Federal Government control.

• I would like to hear more about what the Penn administration plans to do about the concerns that students have that they cannot finish their PhDs. There are some things Penn could do to free up funds such as not requiring PIs to pay student tuition, but as of now I do not have faith that the university admin will not sacrifice students and faculty.

• I would like to see a concrete plan that shows exactly how the measures being taken will enable the university's research program to survive these budget cuts, but I understand that while we don't know exactly what will happen, that is simply not possible.

• I think administration should be as transparent as possible about how funding changes may influence things other than our class sizes for upcoming cohorts. I would like to know more concrete plans on how admin is going to protect students (especially those most vulnerable to these changes like URM, international students, disabled students, LGBTQ+ students, etc.).

Any additional thoughts?

• We as a university have one of the top business schools in the world. While people, intelligence, logic, and general good-decision making seems anathema to this administration, I believe that they do answer (to some extent) to dollars – that is, they follow the money. I think if we are going to win this in any capacity, it is vital that somehow we leverage our contacts from Wharton and perhaps biotech to lobby the government from a capitalistic standpoint for why this funding must be maintained (as I think it is the only argument they will accept). All in all, I appreciate the CAMB and BGS offices' endeavors to help calm tensions we are all experiencing. I really appreciate the directness and willingness to pass on information as it comes. I just wish the University would stand up and fight back (though I'm not even sure what this would look like).

• The administration’s excuse that funding was pulled due to one transgender swimmer who doesn't even go here any more is an obvious farse, and for the university to entertain or capitulate to that farse would be cowardly and embarrassing. Recent funding cuts are nothing short of an attack on all academia that follows a recent rise in anti-intellectualism. Any ground ceded to these bullies will just embolden them further, and if Penn wants to be seen as an academic leader, it needs to act like one.

• I would like to have guidance on how to talk about the current situation with non-academics (such as family & friends) so that I can better communicate what is happening.

If you need specific support in relation to recent changes and how they are affecting you, your lab, or your work, please contact CAMB administration or take advantage of other resources as needed.

For an unabridged version of CAMB students' thoughts, please see the PDF below.

CAMB students thoughts on recent funding_NIH events and the response (Responses) - Form Re.

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