Research funding—uncertain in the best of times—is facing a period of instability in the U.S. due to recent policy shifts. Some funding programs have already been affected, and researchers across disciplines are navigating this uncertainty. At CareerVolt, we’ve been tracking these developments to better support investigators and institutions. We share the concerns many are expressing and remain committed to helping the research community move forward.

While the broader funding landscape is in flux, each of us still has agency in how we respond. We can focus on what is within our control—strategic positioning, alternative funding approaches, advocating for research, and maintaining research momentum. Below, we outline some of the key strategies that are helping us and the investigators and institutions we support to navigate these challenges and stay proactive in the face of change. 

Refocusing on What We Can Control

In times of uncertainty, focusing on what is within our control can help us feel more grounded and allow us to take action when we might otherwise feel helpless. Here are strategies we are using for ourselves and with the investigators we support as they continue turning to us for guidance on what to do in the face of potential funding cuts.

Strategy 1. Reflect on past challenges

Government shutdowns, a global pandemic, natural disasters: Most of us have been through at least one of these unexpected and significant disruptions. Things were difficult then and, certainly, the landscapes shifted. But we can ask ourselves, “How did I navigate those periods of uncertainty and difficulty? What did I learn from the challenges that I can apply here? Who/what helped get me through?” 

Sometimes this reflection reveals things we wish we’d done differently, giving us an opportunity to try a new approach this time around. Those of us in leadership positions might also ask these questions from the perspective of our larger organizations, to identify structural frameworks that may be leveraged to support our colleagues and missions.

Strategy 2. Gain perspective

One of our favorite tools is defining the best-case, worst-case, and most likely scenarios. When there is uncertainty, our brains tend to fill in lots of possibilities and point us straight to the biggest threat. But most times the biggest threat doesn’t materialize. Identifying the best-, worst- and most likely scenarios allows us to acknowledge that the probable outcome is typically somewhere in the middle, helping us to tamp down some of the worries. 

When we think it through, we imagine multiple scenarios and outcomes, and what we would do in each. This often helps us feel a little more in control because instead of having an unpredictable reaction to the unexpected, we can anticipate and plan our response somewhat more objectively.

Strategy 3. Develop Contingency Plans

Uncertainty often calls for flexibility, and contingency planning can help us to inject this flexibility when needed. If we define our top priorities and identify potential risks to those priorities, we can align our actions accordingly. For example:

• If I am facing a gap in funding on a project that is a high priority, can I explore interim solutions such as institutional bridge funding or philanthropic support?
• If my organization implements a hiring freeze, can I redistribute current project responsibilities, shift timelines, or develop new collaborations so that work can move forward with my current staffing?
• If certain project tasks might be compromised by budget cuts, what options exist for less resource-intensive approaches?
• If organizational (internal or external) funding or administrative offices face staff reductions, what systems or supports might I need to put in place to buffer against delays in these processes?

Change is often difficult, but having a plan B (or even a plan C) can help us adapt more effectively and potentially even identify new opportunities. 

Strategy 4. Keep Pursuing Funding

While acquiring federal funding is often critical to advancing research, it isn’t the objective itself. Seeking new funding sources can be instrumental in maintaining momentum. And a more diversified funding stream helps buffer against changes to any one source (e.g., our post from June 2024, Diversifying Your Research Funding Portfolio: A Strategy to Increase Resilience). Outreach to program staff at funding agencies continues to be an important step to help understand what opportunities are available and may be a good fit.

Academic and other research-driven organizations appear to be frequently issuing/updating their guidance for investigators who rely on grant funding. For this reason, our current advice to PIs is to remain up to date on institutional guidance around application submission and utilization of existing awards. Additionally, we find our normal guidance is a good fall-back: staying up to date on the funder requirements and expectations and frequently checking the NOFOs or solicitations for any changes or updates, including just before submission, is important for ensuring alignment.

Strategy 5. Lean on Peer Networks

All research-associated roles—public and private, peers, postdocs, students, and research administrators—are experiencing worry. Community is important; here’s how we can support each other:

• Communicating openly: Sharing updates about the situation as we receive them, even if there’s limited new information or facts are changing quickly, can help build trust. We are being careful to avoid speculation and rumors because misinformation can perpetuate the atmosphere of uncertainty. 
• Encouraging flexibility: Acknowledging that team members may need to adjust their workloads or timelines to adapt to the current circumstances fosters a sense that we can work together to find a new way forward.
• Rekindling a sense of purpose: Reminding ourselves and our colleagues of the impact of our work and the importance of staying focused on the aspects we can control helps reconnect us to a shared mission and reveal the next steps.
• Lending a hand: Recognizing that some colleagues may experience disproportionate impacts due to funding terminations, we can consider reaching out to ask how we can help or advocate. 

We will continue to monitor the US funding landscape and provide updates as we identify more specific actions. If you’ve found a strategy that is helping you navigate this situation, please consider sharing it with us.