Each day, approximately 8.5 billion searches are made on Google. The search engine has become a staple of 21st century life, so ubiquitous that a day without it could put the world on pause. Google began in 1996 at Stanford University. Like so many modern innovations, like seat belts and FM radio, it is the product of university research.
Currently, university research is bogged down in uncertainty. On Feb. 7, the National Institute of Health announced drastic budget cuts for indirect costs– costs that are necessary for research but not directly linked, such as facility maintenance– for medical research projects. Only 3 days later, a federal judge blocked the cuts from taking place after 22 states and multiple medical organizations sued the administration. In addition, Donald Trump’s executive order targeting federal funding for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs caused the National Science Foundation (NSF) to freeze funding for research project grants until another court order called for the foundation to resume them. The back and forth of executive orders and court appeals has left university research in limbo– a situation that benefits no one.
For students, research offers a unique opportunity to apply their education and focus on specific topics, helping them to specialize and become experts in their desired disciplines. In addition, the experience of research, whether it takes place in laboratories, databases, or archives, builds skills such as problem solving and leadership. Directly and indirectly, it is incredibly important for improving career readiness. However, research doesn’t stop at the students. When researchers challenge preconceptions or explore new ideas, the resulting discoveries advance our understanding of the world, allowing society to better address its problems. In medical research especially, these innovations save lives.
This conversation should be apolitical. Although lots of research grants are federally funded, expanding knowledge and cultivating innovation is not a partisan issue. As students, many of whom are looking towards university, we do not want these opportunities for ground-breaking research taken from ourselves or our classmates in the future. The Talon staff understands that university research is imperative to the future and believes that its funding should be protected.
