President Donald Trump has proposed significant cuts to major U.S. science agencies for the second consecutive year, with the Environmental Protection Agency and National Science Foundation facing budget reductions exceeding 50% compared with their current levels.
The National Science Foundation moved to shut down its Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) in April without waiting for congressional action, despite Congress having rejected similar cut proposals the previous year. According to Ellen Baum, who has spent her career supporting high-quality science, these cuts will have far-reaching consequences for communities, particularly older Americans. “Much of the knowledge and insight we have about aging comes from social science research, including SBE research,” Baum wrote. “It is SBE research that uncovered the role the brain plays in loneliness, and with this information devised needed research and interventions.”
The SBE Directorate funds research that addresses fundamental challenges including barriers to healthy aging, demands on family caregivers, the rise of social isolation, and the accessibility of health care at home. Baum emphasized that defunding this research will expand “the gulf between our understanding of the emotional, cognitive, and physical health consequences of social isolation and our ability to build connections to support healthy aging.”
While Congress ultimately controls the federal budget, the NSF’s advance action in eliminating the SBE Directorate without explanation, notice, or stakeholder engagement has drawn criticism. Baum is calling on Congress to reject the FY 2027 budget request and exercise its oversight authority to stop the NSF from further eliminating programs without proper review.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.bangordailynews.com/2026/06/06/opinion/opinion-contributor/cuts-to-science-funding-will-harm-us-all-joam40zk0w/