Core Viewpoint - The U.S. scientific research system is facing unprecedented challenges due to abrupt funding cuts from the government, leading to a crisis in research institutions like UCLA and IPAM, which are struggling to maintain operations and support for emerging scientists [1][5][12]. Group 1: Impact on Research Funding - The U.S. government has implemented drastic cuts to research funding, resulting in the suspension of billions in ongoing projects and experiments [12][14]. - Many scholarships and research grants aimed at nurturing the next generation of scientists have been significantly reduced, causing a loss of opportunities for students and postdoctoral researchers [14][19]. - The National Science Foundation (NSF) has drastically cut funding for key programs, leading to delays and interruptions in research plans [14][19]. Group 2: Personal Accounts and Reactions - Mathematician Terence Tao expressed deep frustration over the funding cuts, stating that he has never felt such despair in his 25-year research career [1][6]. - Tao's personal research funding has been suspended, and he has had to prioritize summer funding for his students amid the crisis [14][16]. - The leadership at UCLA has emphasized that research funding is an investment in the future, not a form of charity [17]. Group 3: Broader Implications for U.S. Science - The cuts are seen as a systematic dismantling of the research ecosystem that has historically supported scientific breakthroughs in the U.S. [11][12]. - The abrupt changes have bypassed established procedures, undermining the independence of the research community and its ability to respond to challenges [12][23]. - The government's actions have raised concerns about the future of scientific inquiry and the role of science in addressing national and global challenges [23][24].