Open Philanthropy Awards $336K to Map the Impact of Scientific Funding Cuts
Researchers at the University of Maryland and the University of Pennsylvania are jointly leading efforts to communicate the science and community impacts of ongoing cuts to federal funding for science and medical research.
The interdisciplinary team that developed an interactive, data-driven map to communicate the economic impact of sweeping cuts to federal funding for scientific and medical research recently received a $336,000 award from Open Philanthropy to sustain and expand their project. Open Philanthropy is a grantmaking organization that aims to use its resources to help others as much as it can.
The researchers from the University of Maryland, University of Pennsylvania, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Utah and University of Oregon launched the Science & Community Impacts Mapping Project (SCIMaP) in late March 2025. The interactive website communicates how National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding cuts—including reductions to research infrastructure funding (known as indirect costs), grant freezes and terminations, and proposed reductions in the NIH fiscal year 2026 (FY26) budget—result in economic losses and job losses at national, state, county and congressional district levels.
With the new funding from Open Philanthropy, the team plans to expand its analysis to other federal agencies that are impacted, as well as assess and communicate the effects of federal cuts on research projects, public health, the scientific workforce and the economy.
“The overwhelming majority of Americans want the same or more federal funding for research. However, ongoing cuts in funding, grant terminations and the withholding of allocated funds are already curtailing science and leading to job losses nationwide. Our SCIMaP visualization and communication effort connects these policy changes with real-world impacts within local communities,” said project co-lead Joshua Weitz, Professor of Biology and Clark Leadership Chair in Data Analytics at UMD with a joint appointment in the University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing.
The SCIMaP team estimates that, if implemented, NIH’s proposed drastic reduction in research infrastructure support would lead to an estimated $16 billion in economic loss and 68,000 jobs lost nationwide each year. Research grants that have been frozen and cancelled are associated with additional losses of $11 billion and 48,000 jobs nationwide. Likewise, if the NIH FY26 budget were reduced 40% as the White House proposed, the SCIMaP team projects an economic loss of $47 billion and more than 200,000 jobs lost. Visitors to the scienceimpacts.org website can see estimated economic losses from budget cuts along with a breakdown of impacts to three major NIH institutes that focus on aging, cancer and infectious disease.
“Federal investment in scientific research leads to widespread benefits for people and communities nationwide,” said project co-lead Alyssa Sinclair, Joan Bossert Postdoctoral Fellow at UPenn’s Annenberg Public Policy Center and a researcher in the Communication Neuroscience Lab at the Annenberg School for Communication. “SCIMaP aims to reveal the impact that science policy changes will have on local communities, and empower individuals to take actions that align with their values.”
The SCIMaP team sourced its data from a public database of NIH grants, cancelled and frozen grants from the Grant Witness (previously Grant Watch) database, and local geographic mobility data from census data records.
In recent years, more than $45 billion in NIH-funded medical research has been made possible annually through grant support to universities, hospitals and research institutes in communities across the U.S. Although less than 1% of the federal budget goes to the NIH, the investment has a significant positive impact on health innovation and the economy.
The United for Medical Research coalition estimates that every $1 invested in scientific research through the NIH produces $2.56 in new economic activity, a gain of more than 250% in investment. Further, NIH research supports over 400,000 jobs across the U.S. Research funded by the NIH has led to major breakthroughs, including the prevention, treatment, and cures for cancer, heart disease and Type 1 diabetes.
In addition to Weitz and Sinclair, the interdisciplinary SCIMaP team includes Emily Falk (University of Pennsylvania), Danielle Cosme (University of Pennsylvania), Mallory Harris (University of Maryland), Clio Andris (Georgia Institute of Technology), Angela Fagerlin (University of Utah) and Ellen Peters (University of Oregon).
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About the University of Maryland
The University of Maryland (UMD) is the state's flagship university driven by a community of more than 50,000 fearless Terrapins. As a leading research university and top 20 public institution, UMD is proud to be part of the Association of American Universities. Dedicated to excellence and impact for the public good, the university is propelled by a $1.4 billion joint research enterprise. UMD is the nation’s first Do Good campus, and is consistently ranked for its innovation, research and top-tier academic programs. Located in the National Capital Region, the university offers an unparalleled student experience with federal internship opportunities, hundreds of academic programs and study abroad options, and top-ranked living-learning programs. Spurred by a culture of innovation and creativity, UMD’s faculty are global leaders in their fields and include Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners and members of the national academies. For more information about the University of Maryland, College Park, visit umd.edu.
About the University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1740, is an Ivy League institution with a distinctive past. Its 12 undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools are located in Philadelphia on an attractive urban campus that serves a diverse community of more than 20,000 students from throughout the nation and around the world. Ranked consistently among the top universities in the nation, Penn has a longstanding reputation for excellence in graduate and professional education.
