Through March 31st, 2026 from the start of the year, the number of competitive grants awarded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is down by more than half compared with the same period last year, according to an analysis done by the Washington Post. The same analysis also reports that biomedical funding has also been cut and there have been fewer grants focused on women’s health, cancer, and mental health. The NIH supported 2,700 fewer scientific projects in the fiscal year of 2025 and there was a 31% drop in the number of projects funded that included the word “women”.

For Katherine Burns, the leading researcher at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine’s endometriosis lab, the prospect of the end of her research haunts her.

“It’s very scary. It’s very hard. It’s very emotional for me because I’ve worked so very hard to get to this point. I’ve worked and dedicated who I am to this because I have this disease…We really made some strides, and we really made some sacrifices to keep this going.” Burns said.

Endometriosis is an extremely stigmatized and misunderstood disease that impacts 1 in 10 reproductive age women. The exact cause still isn’t known, which has led many women to be misdiagnosed, experience blackout levels of pain, and even infertility. If Burn’s research is cut, a leading source for the improved health of millions of American women will be lost. 

Last month, NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya told the House Appropriations Committee, which is in charge of giving and withholding funding, that just like last year, the agency will spend its entire budget. 

“Scientists that are listening, don’t pay attention to the hype. We are in the process of identifying the excellent projects. The grants are already going out the door” he said. 

However, administrators at research universities struggle with hiring and admissions due to the host of unknowns regarding funding. Since a large portion of grant money goes toward support for trainees in labs, others such as graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, research staff, and assistant professors are all affected by the lack of funding clarity.

The future of science in the United States is at stake. California is trying to change that.

On March 5th, 2026, James B. Milliken announced that the University of California is sponsoring state senator Scott Wiener’s SB 895, also known as The California Science and Health Research Bond Act. This bipartisan legislation would place a $23 billion bond to fund scientific research across California. If passed by voters on the November 2026 ballot, it would be a monumental step in preserving research that is important to protecting jobs, sustaining lifesaving medical advancements, supporting the health of communities across the state and maintaining California’s global leadership in innovation.

“University research has been under sustained attack over the past year. This bill aims to protect the remarkable advances benefiting millions of Californians now and in the future. We are proud to consponsor this bill and will always stand up for science.” said Milliken.

On May 4th, a rally will take place in Sacramento, California for this bill. Students, faculty, staff, researchers, and other supporters are encouraged to attend. If this rally is affected and The California Science and Health Research Act is passed, other states can follow suit and help fund other valuable ventures into science. 

I encourage readers of Our National Conversation to spread the word about this act and even if you are outside of the state, call lawmakers in your own state and let them know about this act.

This act can save many lives, even your own if you get sick.

The future of science is at stake, so fight to protect it in any way you can.