Breaking Down: Collapse Daily Episode 100 - The Death of Research
Jan 28, 2026
A deep dive into widespread research funding cuts and personal stories of scientists losing support. A review of a Nature analysis quantifying Trump-era impacts on grants, staff, and international students. Discussion of canceled clinical trials, drops in new awards, and proposed historic R&D budget cuts. Worries about long-term harm to pandemic preparedness, climate science, and innovation.
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Neighbor's Research Job Lost Funding
- Corey recounts neighbors who moved because a researcher lost funding under the Trump administration.
- He links multiple personal contacts who were directly impacted by research funding cuts.
Research Cuts Are Quiet Collapse
- Corey argues cuts to research are a hidden but major form of collapse that operates behind the headlines.
- He emphasizes lost research hampers climate, disease, and biodiversity understanding and response.
Huge Grant And Staff Losses
- Over 7,800 grants were terminated or frozen and about 25,000 research personnel were lost from agencies in one year.
- At least 2,600 grants remained unfrozen, leaving $1.4 billion unspent and researchers stranded.