Science in Crisis: Navigating a Funding Shortfall in U.S. Research

Currently, the United States—long heralded as a global leader in scientific and engineering innovation—faces a science-funding crisis that threatens the very foundation of its research enterprise (Wired and NBC). With university science support budgets slashed, and critical federal grant programs stalled, many in the scientific community are asking: What happens when the traditional support system falters? [Jump to alternative science funding lists]

Across the U.S., university and institutional research labs are facing severe budget cuts. Key funding sources like the NIH and NSF are in turmoil. Many program directors are being dismissed, disrupting the grant management process. Federal support for university ‘indirect costs’—essential for infrastructure and administration—is set to drop from 50-70% to just 15%. Without intervention, many labs may shut down or downsize, threatening scientific progress.

As SayoStudio’s founder, I am deeply distressed to see government support for science rescinded. I started my career as a science illustrator at the National Science Foundation over 20 years ago. Since, our science communication studio has continued to serve scientists supported by grants from NSF, NIH, NOAA, and more. Beyond my personal investment, these cuts and uncertainty jeopardize the areas in innovation and discovery so urgent to our society. Some repercussions are obvious, such as being ill prepared for new disease threats, but there are also long-lasting impacts from cutting basic research whose loss won’t be seen for decades later.

To educate ourselves, my team and I have been researching alternative science funding opportunities beyond the US government.  We’re sharing these scientific funding ideas with you, knowing they are not a replacement for the historically robust NIH/NSF grants. Yet, we hope that perhaps, this list will be helpful to those of you navigating what’s next.

We’ll review scientific-funding opportunities:

1. international science funding and grants
2. non-profit support for scientific research, including health science research, climate and sustainability, and biology and ecology.
3. private investor support for scientific research (and who that will, or will not, work for)

Exploring Alternative Science Funding Avenues

While there is hope that these U.S. scientific funding decisions will eventually be revisited and corrected, scientists cannot afford to wait passively (NIH). In the midst of this crisis, we’ve heard many suggest looking to private industry for support. Unfortunately, the profit-driven nature of the private industry means that filling the federal funding gap is not a sustainable solution for maintaining broad-based scientific research. Thus, we look to international grant sources and non-profit funding, and consider areas where private industry support for science is a realistic vision of the future.

International Science Grants

Undoubtedly, the United States science crisis will reverberate globally. Can other countries help blunt the impact by funding labs collaborating with American scientists? It is possible that U.S. researchers may be able to tap into international funding sources? Would this provide more stable or flexible conditions than what is currently available domestically? Although not exhaustive, we’ve highlighted some of the key funding agencies in countries with strong ties to US science.

1. European Scientific Grants: European funding bodies have long been at the forefront of supporting innovative research. Programs like the European Innovation Council (EIC), the European Research Council (ERC), and Horizon Europe offer substantial grants. These potentially serve as a lifeline for researchers. Individual countries, such as the UK, Ireland, and Germany, have their own robust government funding support for science.
2. Other North American Funding Agencies: In Canada, key agencies include the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), which funds basic and applied research. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Sadly, other countries are seeing their own science funding crisis. To the south, Mexico is cutting science funding.
3. Asia: Singapore offers robust funding through agencies like the National Research Foundation and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). South Korea, with its strong emphasis on technology and innovation, provides grants through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) and initiatives aimed at fostering international collaborations. In India, India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) offer competitive grant opportunities for research that can align with global scientific challenges.
4. Middle East: In Israel, the Israel Science Foundation (ISF) funds research across sciences, engineering, and medicine. The Israel Innovation Authority (IIA) backs applied research. The Binational Science Foundation (BSF) supports U.S.-Israel research partnerships, and the BIRD Foundation fosters industry collaborations for commercial tech development. Other opportunities include US-Egypt Collaborative Research Grants  and the recently established  Arab and Technology Foundation (technically a non-profit).
5. Expanding Global Opportunities in Science Funding: Beyond the often-targeted Western regions, emerging research hubs in Asia, Latin America, and Africa are also stepping into the spotlight. Australia and the United States have a long partnership in research. Additionally, countries like Brazil and South Africa are investing in science through government-backed initiatives. Regional funds that encourage partnerships with U.S. institutions, offers yet another avenue for researchers seeking alternative financial support.

Non-Profit Science Funding

Of course, not everyone conducting scientific research in the U.S. has established international collaborations. Competition will only become more fierce for these international grants. Another place to look at is nonprofits and philanthropic organizations. Below we list some of the general funders, as well as some specific to health, science, and technological subject areas.

Many organizations provide a range of grants and fellowships designed to advance cancer research at every stage. These funding programs support innovative pilot projects and early-career investigators while fostering collaborations through networking events and mentorship opportunities. From pioneering basic science to translational studies, they help move breakthroughs from the lab to clinical settings.

Nonprofit foundations have become major players in the scientific funding arena.

Here are some of the leaders in different topics supporting scientific research. These foundations are deeply invested in funding researchers whose work has the potential to yield life-changing results for patients.

1. Nonprofits Supporting a Broad Scope of Science and Health Initiatives: The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Gates Foundation, the Wellcome Trust, and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative are just a few examples of organizations that are increasingly investing in research and innovation to advance health, as well as basic research in cell biology, genomics and proteomics.
2. Disease-Specific Non-Profit Medical Research Funding: The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) offers invaluable funding opportunities that can help bridge gap left by dwindling federal support. Similarly, organizations such as the American Heart Association (AHA) and the Michael J. Fox Foundation support disease-specific research, like heart disease and Parkinson’s.
3. Funding for Climate Science and Sustainable Engineering: With federal funding for environmental research at an all-time low, nonprofit organizations are playing a growing role in advancing innovation in environmental engineering, climate science, and sustainable materials. The MacArthur Foundation provides grants to fund climate solutions. The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation support environmental conservation, as well as basic scientific research in areas like quantum physics.
4. Funding for Biologists and Ecologists: Organizations such as the Wildlife Conservation Society funds science backed climate projects. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has great resources on different scientific grants for conservationists and biologists. The Rufford foundation also supports conservation programs.
5. International Focused Nonprofits: For those in Canada, the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) provides grants for research infrastructure, and Genome Canada supports large-scale genomics projects.

Private funding for scientific research, angel investors, and venture capitalists

The critical role of basic research isn’t often an area that makes sense for investors to fund. However, private funding, including venture capital and angel investors, can be a viable alternative for researchers who align with industry-driven innovation. Particularly for scientists whose SBIR or STTR grants are in jeopardy. Applied research scientists with clear commercialization pathways—such as biotech startups, medical devices, or sustainable materials—may find success in securing private funding.

Unfortunately, for those engaged in fundamental or exploratory research without immediate commercial applications, private funding is much harder to secure. For example, basic science, conservation studies, and long-term ecological research are less attractive to investors who need to see short-term gains. Additionally, venture capital often requires scientists to relinquish equity or control, which may not align with the goals of purely academic or discovery-based research.

Yet, some mission-driven investment funds, such as impact investors, do support scientific innovation with societal benefits. These opportunities remain limited compared to traditional government grants. Although we’re not looking at the more traditional tech investment firms, let’s consider mission-driven companies next.

Mission-driven Investment Funds

Mission-driven investment funds, also known as impact investors, focus on funding scientific innovation and sustainability-driven research to generate both financial returns and positive societal or environmental impact. These funds are particularly relevant for researchers and startups working in areas like clean energy, climate technology, biotech, and sustainable materials. Some notable mission-driven investment funds include:

1. Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV): Founded by Bill Gates and backed by investors like Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson, BEV funds early-stage companies developing breakthrough clean energy and climate solutions, including carbon capture, energy storage, and sustainable agriculture.
2. Prime Coalition: A nonprofit that directs philanthropic and mission-driven capital toward early-stage climate technology companies. Learn how to apply by navigating to Prime Impact Funds contact form. 
3. The Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment: Invests in early-stage companies working on environmental sustainability, including renewable energy, carbon sequestration, and regenerative agriculture.
4. Elemental Excelerator: A hybrid nonprofit and venture fund that supports startups focused on climate technology, clean water, and sustainable infrastructure. Learn more about their Elemental Investment Funding. 
5. Cyclotron Road (Activate): Supports scientists and engineers in bringing early-stage, hard-tech innovations to market, particularly in areas like materials science, clean energy, and industrial sustainability. Berkely Activate Fellowships.
6. Green Angel Syndicate: A UK-based angel investment network focused on funding startups that address climate change and sustainability challenges. Learn more about raising funds with Green Angel Syndicate.
7. Chrysalix Venture Capital: Specializes in resource efficiency and sustainable innovation, funding research in clean technology, materials science, and industrial sustainability. Find out if your engineering technology could find funding with Chrysalix. 

While these funds can be a potential lifeline for scientists and startups, they typically prioritize projects with commercialization potential. Researchers seeking funding from these sources may need to align their proposals with industry applications. They must also demonstrate a clear pathway to societal or environmental impact.

A Future Built on Resilience and Innovation

The current funding crisis in the United States is undeniably severe. The sweeping cuts across universities, federal agencies, and key research programs paint a sobering picture of a once-thriving ecosystem now in distress. Yet, this crisis also presents an opportunity—a call to action for scientists to rethink and diversify funding strategies.

While international and non-profit funding cannot fully substitute the robust, long-term support provided by U.S. federal agencies, they offer a critical stopgap. Diversifying funding sources can help sustain vital research programs and keep laboratories open.

The resilience of the scientific community will be tested as we navigate these turbulent times. To ensure that the legacy of American scientific and engineering leadership endures—even in the face of adversity, we hope that researchers can continue to push the boundaries of discovery and innovation by embracing a diversified approach to funding.

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