A Nerd Thing

From a while ago - not sure if I've posted this before, but it seems pretty important.

It'd be nice if I could count on my government to put my money where it helps, instead of always making sure it goes to parasite billionaires and vampire corporations.

Google AI summary:

As of early 2026, MIT faces significant funding reductions due to federal cuts, particularly with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) slashing support for university research. These cuts, which include a 15% cap on indirect costs, could reduce MIT’s funding by $30–$35 million annually, threatening research into cancer, Alzheimer's, and other diseases.

Key Impacts on MIT Cancer Research:Reduced Funding:

The NIH, under the second Trump administration, has targeted reductions in indirect costs—essential for lab infrastructure, safety, and operational costs.

Impact on Research and Staff:

The funding cuts are disrupting ongoing projects and creating a potential, significant impact on scientific output.

Broader Context:

These cuts are part of a broader federal push to reduce NIH funding by roughly 40% in fiscal year 2026.

Massachusetts Impact:

Massachusetts, which receives the largest share of NIH funding per capita, is seeing major reductions, with around 5,783 projects potentially affected.
Proposed Cuts & Opposition: While the administration has proposed drastic budget cuts to science agencies, some legislative efforts are exploring alternative funding levels.

These reductions pose a risk to the ongoing cancer research, which has been crucial in advancing treatments.

Further Exploration:

Read an in-depth analysis of the impact of these cuts on cancer research from The ASCO Post.

View a detailed report on the federal funding cuts and their impact on research in Massachusetts from STAT.

See a comprehensive overview of the proposed science funding cuts in the second Trump administration from Wikipedia.