APF Statement on the Erosion of Psychological Research Funding in the U.S.

APF Statement on the Erosion of Psychological Research Funding in the U.S.

Recent federal funding cuts to the psychological research community are fundamentally anti-scientific.

All of the grants that have since been terminated had previously undergone rigorous peer review and in many cases, work was already underway prior to their termination.The Trump administration’s actions are not driven by scientific evidence, but by ideology, with little regard for the long-term consequences on public health, scientific integrity, or individuals’ careers. In a further troubling move, several vital datasets have been removed from public access, undermining transparency, collaboration, and the ability of researchers to build on past findings.

As a result, psychological researchers are now desperately seeking ways to continue supporting their research by exploring alternative funding sources or collaboration opportunities — sources that were never meant to carry the weight of what has traditionally been a government-supported mission. Private funding, while valuable, simply cannot replace the scale, stability, and public accountability that federal support provides.

The implications are stark: this funding vacuum threatens to stall or even reverse decades of progress in understanding human behavior, treating mental illness, and improving societal well-being. It also risks ceding America’s global leadership in psychological science — a field critical not just to healthcare, but to education, criminal justice, and workforce development.

We urge the administration to reconsider its approach and recommit to evidence-based policymaking. Investing in psychological science is essential for a healthier, more informed, and more resilient nation.