Abstract Since the beginning of the second Trump administration multiple executive orders (EOs) have adversely affected research, grant funding, career advancement, and community partnerships. These EOs disproportionately affect early-stage investigators (ESIs) by hindering key milestones such as graduate admissions, promotion, and tenure. This article critically examines the implications of these EOs on ESI's scientific careers. Due to today's hostile political climate exacerbated by multiple EOs, many research participants are being erased due to limits and mistrust regarding personal demographic data disclosure. This reduces the ability to draw meaningful conclusions about disparities in research. Federal grant review and funding have been disrupted by EOs and federal employee terminations, leading to grant cancellations, deferred study sections and council meetings, and defunding of critical datasets, reducing access to preliminary data and federal grant funds. Amid funding cuts and resulting uncertainty due to the EOs, US graduate programs admissions have diminished, preventing the career advancement of ESIs. This reduction will derail scientific and medical advancements—compromising the integrity of clinical care outcomes for the foreseeable future. Engaging with both academic and community groups is crucial for developing ESIs. The institutional compliance with the disbanding of special interest workgroups for ESIs from underserved communities (whether preemptive or legally mandated) ultimately negatively affects relationships between the community and the academy. By restricting research and funding opportunities, limiting advancement, and disbanding community spaces, the EOs have a negative impact on the trajectory of many ESIs.
Insalaco et al. (Wed,) studied this question.