iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Krystal Vasquez

cenguild.bsky.social @cenguild.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

The Chemical & Engineering News Guild has overwhelmingly won its union election, with 96% of participants voting in favor of unionization! @wbng.org @newsguild.org

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Krystal Vasquez @kvasquez.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Earlier this month, a research institute in Venezuela was damaged by US air strikes, marking the latest blow to a research sector already battered by funding and supply shortages. Read more at @cenmag.bsky.social: cen.acs.org/policy/US-ai...

cen.acs.org

US air strikes are the latest blow to Venezuela’s decimated science infrastructure

Venezuelan scientists are ‘waiting to see’ how damage to the country’s top basic science center will affect its research sector

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Bethany Halford @bethanyhalford.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

I'd like to chat with people who have applied for grad school in chem or biochem for fall 2026 for an article in C&EN (@cenmag.bsky.social) about how funding changes in the US are impacting admissions. If this is you, please fill out this form. forms.office.com/r/5xUxaqEnfX #chemsky #chemchat

forms.office.com

Microsoft Forms

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Manny I. Fox Morone @mannyfoxmorone.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

Hope that one day my capable colleagues will have a say in the direction that C&EN is headed. Here we go …

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Bri Barbu @bribarbu.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

I've been at C&EN for over four years and I can genuinely say our staff is some of the most thoughtful, dedicated people I've ever worked with. With @cenguild.bsky.social, we can make sure we're all supported in our effort to keep putting out our unique brand of high-quality science journalism!

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Krystal Vasquez @kvasquez.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

Happy New Years! Here's to making sure that everyone at C&EN---from reporters to copyeditors to production staff---has a voice in the direction of our magazine!

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cenguild.bsky.social @cenguild.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

We are proud to announce the formation of the Chemical & Engineering News Guild. We represent staffers across the editorial and operations teams at C&EN. 1/6

Image with a red, spiked circle and white chemistry flask with a red ampersand in the middle above text that reads, “Chemical & Engineering News is forming a union,” in all caps

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C&EN (Chemical & Engineering News) @cenmag.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

In October 2025, we celebrate the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month #NDEAM. Meet the 2025 C&EN Trailblazers, chemists with disabilities who rethink how we do science: cen.acs.org/people/profi... #DisabledInSTEM #chemsky 🧪

cen.acs.org

Trailblazers: Chemists with disabilities rethink how we do science

C&EN’s 2025 Trailblazers issue, curated by guest editor Mona Minkara, looks at how chemists can solve problems in new ways

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C&EN (Chemical & Engineering News) @cenmag.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

"Inclusive design doesn’t just widen participation; it expands the very structure-function relationship of science itself. We all stand to gain from that." #NDEAM #DisabledInSTEM #chemsky 🧪 cen.acs.org/careers/dive...

cen.acs.org

The tools we build become the questions we ask

Why inclusive design is good for more than access—it expands the boundaries of discovery

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Krystal Vasquez @kvasquez.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

We saw big disruptions to science during the 2018-19 shutdown, but this one could bring with it a new threat: further reductions in the federal workforce. cen.acs.org/policy/resea...

cen.acs.org

Scientists brace for impact of US government shutdown

Trump administration’s plan for mass federal layoffs could further disrupt research funding and environmental regulation

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Krystal Vasquez @kvasquez.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

It so was hard to imagine having successful career in science as a disabled PhD student that eventually I just left. Who could have guessed that years later I would help create a magazine issue dedicated to highlighting Trailblazing disabled chemists! cen.acs.org/people/profi... #DisabledInSTEM

cen.acs.org

Trailblazers: Chemists with disabilities rethink how we do science

C&EN’s 2025 Trailblazers issue, curated by guest editor Mona Minkara, looks at how chemists can solve problems in new ways

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Rowan Walrath @rowanwalrath.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

And be sure to read through the rest of the package, ably edited by my colleagues @mannyfoxmorone.bsky.social and @kvasquez.bsky.social, featuring how chemists with disabilities are reimagining the discipline: cen.acs.org/people/profi...

cen.acs.org

Trailblazers: Chemists with disabilities rethink how we do science

C&EN’s 2025 Trailblazers issue, curated by guest editor Mona Minkara, looks at how chemists can solve problems in new ways

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Rowan Walrath @rowanwalrath.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

Artur Mylin was unfazed when his friend called him in the middle of the night to tell him that the war had begun.

Artur Mylin wears a lab coat and stands for a portrait in an orderly lab space. He stands on one natural leg and one prosthetic leg and holds a cane. An array of flasks, some with stoppers and others without, are on the counter behind him and on the shelves above him. The brown, tiled floor alternates in a pattern of squares, diamonds, and eight-pointed stars.

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Krystal Vasquez @kvasquez.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

Where have I been the past couple months? Working on a project that will feature #DisabledInSTEM chemists who pushing the boundaries of their fields! Can't wait for that to go live Monday! Until then, I invite you to read about 8 disabled scientists who left a lasting mark on modern chemistry. ⬇️

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ACS Chemists with Disabilities Committee (CWD) @acscwd.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

Many hands make light work! At the @acs.org Chemists With Disabilities (CWD) Braille Periodic Table activity at the #ACSFall2025 Member Lounge, over 100 people have helped glue braille dots for element symbols so far. One is almost done! Aiming to finish both Tuesday, so come join us to help out!

Photo showing ACS Fall 2025 attendees help glue braille dots into one of the wooden Braille Periodic Tables (around 24 by 36 inches) at the Member Lounge.

Photo showing a ACS Fall 2025 attendee touching one of the wooden Braille Periodic Tables (around 24 by 36 inches) at the Member Lounge.

Close-up photo showing a ACS Fall 2025 attendee touching one of the wooden Braille Periodic Tables (around 24 by 36 inches) at the Member Lounge.

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C&EN (Chemical & Engineering News) @cenmag.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

Discover the redesigned C&EN online. The site is built to help you stay informed about chemistry, with a streamlined layout, smarter navigation, and curated selections from our editorial team. cen.acs.org?sc=250723_sc...

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Dan Garisto @dangaristo.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

NSF staff release their appeal—slightly different format than the declarations of dissent from EPA/NIH/NASA; a more formal petition to Congress to redress attacks on the agency and its employees. 149 signatories (48 named) democrats-science.house.gov/imo/media/do...

Petition for Action
As provided under the Lloyd-La Follette Act (5 U.S.C. 7211), the signatories respectfully petition the
Committee to:
1. Ensure that NSF employees are shielded from politically motivated firings and protected
under merit-based personnel systems.
2. End illegal impoundments of monies appropriated to NSF.
3. Defend the agency from further interference in its peer review process.
4. Demand transparency from OMB, DOGE, and NSF leadership regarding internal employment
policies and future agency relocations.
5. Reaffirm NSF’s scientific independence and support for world-class research that advances
national prosperity and security.
NSF employees are committed to serving the American people through research, education, and
innovation. But they cannot do so under fear, censorship, and institutional sabotage. Without immediate
oversight and corrective action from Congress, one of our nation’s greatest engines for scientific and
technological advancement faces irreversible long-term damage. Put simply, America will forfeit its
scientific leadership position to China and other rival nations.

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C&EN (Chemical & Engineering News) @cenmag.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

Gutting the National Climate Assessment is just one way the Trump administration is undermining the legal justification to limit greenhouse gas emissions. cen.acs.org/environment/... #chemsky 🧪

cen.acs.org

How the White House is dismantling the heart of US climate policy

Gutting the National Climate Assessment is just one way the Trump administration is undermining the legal justification to limit greenhouse gas emissions

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Dr. David Miller 🏳️‍🌈 @davidimiller.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

🧪 For those following indirect rates (not normally an issue with so much drama!): Senate bill, out today, seeks to block the admin from making abrupt changes to indirect rates at NSF, NASA, and NOAA: www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/do...

10 SEC. 542. In making Federal financial assistance, the
11 Department of Commerce, the National Aeronautics and
12 Space Administration, and the National Science Founda13 tion shall continue to apply the negotiated indirect cost
14 rates for Institutions of Higher Education in section
15 200.414 of title 2, Code of Federal Regulations, including
16 with respect to the approval of deviations from negotiated
17 indirect cost rates, to the same extent and in the same
18 manner as such negotiated indirect cost rates were applied
19 in fiscal year 2024: Provided, That none of the funds ap20 propriated in this or prior Commerce, Justice, Science,
21 and Related Agencies Appropriations Acts, or otherwise
22 made available to the Department of Commerce, the Na23 tional Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Na24 tional Science Foundation may be used to develop, modify,
143
•S 2354 RS
1 or implement changes to such fiscal year 2024 negotiated
2 indirect cost rates.

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Krystal Vasquez @kvasquez.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

And here's the bill text that was approved by the Senate committee: www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/do... It would give the NSF $1 billion for STEM education. For comparison: FY2024: ~$1.2 billion President's request: $288 million

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Reposted by Krystal Vasquez

Save NSF @savensf.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

📰 Save NSF has another newsletter coming out this week. Sign up for our mailing list, so you don't miss out on any important updates or resources. www.savensf.com/join-our-list #SaveNSF #stayuptodate

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Krystal Vasquez @kvasquez.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

Bill passes 19-10 and is off to the full Senate for consideration. The bill currently keeps NSF's budget flat at $9 billion.

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Dan Garisto @dangaristo.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

19 ayes and 10 nays on the bill, so the it passes and will be reported to the broader Senate.

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Krystal Vasquez @kvasquez.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

Senate Appropriations Committee is resuming consideration of the bill that contains the FY 2026 budgets for agencies like NASA, NOAA and NSF. Watch the markup here: www.appropriations.senate.gov/hearings/ful... @nature.com has a good summary of what's happened so far: www.nature.com/articles/d41...

appropriations.senate.gov

Full Committee Markup of Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Acts | United States Senate Committee on Appropriations

United States Senate Committee on Appropriations

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Krystal Vasquez @kvasquez.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

Some NSF-related news from Rebecca Trager at @chemistryworld.com: NSF employees were working on their own version of a dissent declaration, but have since paused the effort after EPA employees faced retaliation for releasing a similar document. www.chemistryworld.com/news/nationa...

chemistryworld.com

National Science Foundation employees’ dissent declaration on ‘indefinite hold’

Document's postponement follows recent suspension of staff at Environmental Protection Agency for releasing similar declaration

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Reposted by Krystal Vasquez

Dr. David Miller 🏳️‍🌈 @davidimiller.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

🧪 CRITICAL UPDATE: The House draft version is now out. ✅ Like the Senate's version, there's no cut to NASA's budget. ❌ There's a 23% proposed cut to NSF's budget. 8-page summary: appropriations.house.gov/sites/evo-su... Draft bill: appropriations.house.gov/sites/evo-su...

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Kyle Cheney @kyledcheney.bsky.social · 12/07/2025

BREAKING: Judge rules that during its large-scale enforcement operation in LA, DHS/ICE has been arresting people without probable cause -- based on factors like accent and line of work. She orders the agencies to stop. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

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Dan Garisto @dangaristo.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

The Senate Committee on Appropriations gave the first signs Congress will push back on Trump's proposed budget cuts to science and instead keep funding flat, though an unrelated issue (the location of the FBI headquarters) stalled any vote today. @alexwitze.bsky.social and I report:

nature.com

US senators poised to reject Trump’s proposed massive science cuts

Committee gives first hint that policymakers might preserve, rather than slash, funding for US National Science Foundation and other agencies.

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Dan Garisto @dangaristo.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

Short summary of Senate Appropriations hearing: Bipartisan agreement to keep funding at FY '24 levels for NASA/NSF passes 21-6 Van Hollen adds an amendment on FBI HQ which passes thanks to Murkowski Republican members change votes to no, threatening the bill. Now in... indefinite recess 🤷‍♂️

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Jeremy Berg @jeremymberg.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

No. The OBBA covers mandatory spending, taxes, and some policy issues with budget implications. Discretionary spending is handled through appropriation bills now in the works. It is confusing. And Google AI (at least) gets it wrong.

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Dan Garisto @dangaristo.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

Baldwin (D-WI) offers amendment reinstating over 1500 terminated NSF grants. "Every member of this committee has had research grants terminated for universities in their states." Moran: Appreciate Sen. Baldwin to make sure NSF is fulfilling its mission. Opposes amendment b/c overly broad.

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Dan Garisto @dangaristo.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

Senate committee on appropriations markup meeting is starting now. They'll be discussing a lot of stuff, but in particular, science agencies like NSF & NASA. Yesterday Sen. Moran indicated funding would be 33.9 billion, preserving FY '24 numbers. www.appropriations.senate.gov/hearings/ful...

appropriations.senate.gov

Full Committee Markup of Commerce, Justice, Science; Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA; and Legislative Branch Appropriations Acts | United States Senate Committee on Appropriations

United States Senate Committee on Appropriations

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Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

"An absolute moral failure." Around one in three disabled people are on Medicaid. I spoke to disability advocates about how devastated they are that the House passed the budget bill that will slash close to a trillion from Medicaid at @motherjones.com. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

motherjones.com

"An absolute moral failure": Disability advocates react to Trump's Medicaid cuts

"At the end of the day, this Congress lacks the courage to do the right thing."

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Dan Garisto @dangaristo.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

NEW: In more court-related science policy news, there's now a final decision in AAU v. DOE, on the 15% indirect rate policy, which had been frozen by a restraining order since April. Judge Burroughs now vacates the policy. Assume DOE will appeal. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

Therefore, it is hereby ORDERED:
1. The Court has subject matter and personal jurisdiction over this action and the
Parties.
2. Venue is proper before this District.
3. For the reasons stated in this Court’s Memorandum and Order on Plaintiffs’
motion for preliminary injunction, Doc. No. 62, judgment is entered in favor of the Plaintiffs on
Count I (illegal departure from negotiated cost rates in violation of 2 C.F.R. 200.414), Count IV
(arbitrary and capricious), and Count VI (retroactivity) of their Complaint against the
Department of Energy and Chris Wright, in his official capacity as Secretary of the Department
of Energy.
4. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 706(2), the Court VACATES, in its entirety, Policy Flash
2025-22. The Court DECLARES that Policy Flash 2025-22 (1) departed from negotiated cost
rates in violation of 2 C.F.R. § 200.414; (2) was arbitrary and capricious; and (3) was
impermissibly retroactive.
5. As vacating Policy Flash 2025-22 moots Plaintiffs’ remaining claims, Counts II,
III, and V of Plaintiffs’ Complaint are dismissed without prejudice.
This is an appealable Final Judgment. It is SO ORDERED.

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Dan Garisto @dangaristo.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

Amid the Trump administration's attacks on science, the National Academies are undergoing upheaval—a 30% reduction in its 1200-person staff by year's end, and possibly a vote of no confidence for its leader, Marcia McNutt. Jeff Tollefson & I report: www.nature.com/articles/d41...

nature.com

Turmoil at US science academy as Trump cuts force layoffs

Efforts by leaders of the US national academies to adjust to the new political reality have spurred member concerns about capitulation and censorship.

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Dan Garisto @dangaristo.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

This is just from the University of California, it seems. Still, a substantial amount of terminated grants there.

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Krystal Vasquez @kvasquez.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Per the NSF website, the agency is reinstating 114 awards as a result of a preliminary injunction that was issued last week. Source: www.nsf.gov/updates-on-p...

Did NSF recently reinstate previously terminated awards?
On June 23, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued a preliminary injunction in Case No. 25-cv-04737, requiring that NSF reinstate certain awards. NSF is required to reinstate awards to all University of California researchers, including faculty, staff, and academic appointees who are named as principal researchers, investigators, or project leaders on grant applications that were terminated by means of a form letter. As a result, 114 awards to 45 institutions are being reinstated as of June 30, 2025.

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Dr. David Miller 🏳️‍🌈 @davidimiller.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Science folks: The Big Brutal Bill is 💩💩💩 and needs to be opposed as: -massive transfer of $ from poor to rich -turbocharging of ICE -major cuts to Medicaid and SNAP But it’s also *completely separate* from later appropriations bills that will set FY26 levels for NSF, NIH, NASA, etc (see below)

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Krystal Vasquez @kvasquez.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

Last Friday, a judge overturned NSF's 15% cap on indirect costs. Here's a summary of the ruling from @cenmag.bsky.social freelancer Cheryl Hogue: cen.acs.org/policy/resea...

cen.acs.org

Judge overturns NSF’s 15% cap on reimbursing indirect costs of research

Agency’s action deemed in violation of federal law

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Dan Garisto @dangaristo.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

Here's the official union statement on the HUD takeover. Small correction that's not included in the screenshot: "Correction: currently 1,833 NSF employees work in the NSF headquarters building."

"National Science Foundation Surprise: Employees Being Relocated to Accommodate Secretary of HUD’s Palatial New Office"

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Dan Garisto @dangaristo.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

NEW: NSF will be kicked out of their building. Announcement will be made tomorrow by HUD Sec. and Governor of VA. HUD will take over the NSF building over the next two years. NSF staffer: "There is no planning for NSF, no identified future location, appropriation for a new building or a move."

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Kyle Cheney @kyledcheney.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

BREAKING: A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore millions of dollars in canceled grants to University of California researchers, calling the terminations flagrantly illegal and unconstitutional. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

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Bri Barbu @bribarbu.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

Last Friday, the NSF unexpectedly expanded their list of graduate research fellows from 1000 to 1500 people. I spoke to a few of the newly named fellows about what it means to them to be offered this funding: cen.acs.org/policy/resea...

cen.acs.org

NSF names 504 new graduate research fellows

After drastically cutting the number of fellows, the agency unexpectedly makes additional awards

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Dan Garisto @dangaristo.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

BREAKING: Judge denies NSF's 15% indirect rate plan. Like the DOE and NIH attempts, it too has now been rejected by courts. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

storage.courtlistener.com

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Krystal Vasquez @kvasquez.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

New lawsuit against NSF ⬇️

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Accessibility Awareness @a11yawareness.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

At the @ire.org conference this week and using the #IRE25 hashtag? Don't forget to add alt text to the images you share so that everyone has access to them. If you're new to writing alt text, this resource from Veronica Lewis can help you out.

veroniiiica.com

How To Write Alt Text And Image Descriptions

The ultimate guide on how to write alt text and image descriptions for the visually impaired, written by someone with low vision who uses alt text

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Sustainable Nano @sustainablenano.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

Three of the 36 signatories are senior investigators in the CSN! Example of important advocacy work that is part of serving as dept chairs/heads, which these scientists take on along with their research & mentoring responsibilities.

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East Coast J @jrhanlon.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

The NIH is getting most of the attention but this administration gutting funding across ALL areas of scientific research and investment, in EVERY FIELD. Say goodbye to America being a scientific and innovating leader in biology, physics, chemistry, math, etc. we’re talking 50-90% cuts to funding.

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