Earlier this year, Dr. Rachael Sirianni, a professor at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, found her career in pediatric brain cancer research destabilized almost overnight. For years, Sirianni has focused on medulloblastoma, one of the most aggressive and deadliest childhood brain tumors. Her lab had been making progress on a promising drug-delivery approach that could transform treatment for young patients.
That progress halted when federal funding — the lifeline for nearly every major research lab in the U.S. — was disrupted by sweeping policy changes introduced under the Trump administration.
Federal Funding in Limbo
Sirianni had three active grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with additional proposals under review. Typically, such applications undergo rigorous evaluation, but in early 2025, NIH abruptly canceled review meetings and cut off communication with researchers.
For Sirianni, who has relied on federal support for over a decade, the disruption was unprecedented. Her initial buffer came from a startup fund when UMass Chan recruited her in 2022, but those reserves quickly dried up as the university froze discretionary spending during the funding delays. The result: her lab shrank, staff were laid off, and a promising project was shelved indefinitely.
National Cancer Research Cuts
Sirianni’s situation is not unique. Across the country, the Trump administration has moved to slash or delay cancer research grants. The most significant blow came with a proposal to cut the National Cancer Institute (NCI) budget by 37%, reducing it from $7.2 billion to $4.5 billion. Adjusted for inflation, federal support for cancer research is now at its lowest in 30 years.
While officials defended the cuts as necessary to reduce waste, researchers argue that the damage could set back decades of progress. With fewer grants being awarded and cost-sharing responsibilities shifted to universities, many labs now face closures.
Decades of Progress at Risk
The United States launched its “War on Cancer” in 1971 under President Richard Nixon, ushering in a new era of scientific investment. Although a universal cure never materialized, the push yielded steady progress: survival rates for all cancers have risen from 49% in the 1970s to 68% today.
Research funded by the federal government has driven some of the most groundbreaking advances, from targeted therapies and vaccines to early detection methods. Studies have shown that every $326 invested in cancer research equates to one additional year of human life. The long-term value of this system is now at risk.
Politics and Science Collide
The political climate has further complicated matters. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified public distrust in scientific institutions, fueling skepticism toward federal health agencies. This shift has seeped into cancer research funding.
Key figures in the Trump administration have criticized NIH as inefficient, calling for Silicon Valley–style “disruption” in research funding. Venture capital advocates argue that private investment can drive innovation faster than traditional federal models. But many scientists warn that without stable federal support, high-risk, long-term projects — the ones most likely to yield breakthroughs — may never get off the ground.
Fallout at UMass Chan
The disruptions hit universities especially hard. UMass Chan, which has steadily grown under Chancellor Michael Collins, suddenly faced a $93 million shortfall by mid-2025. Federal caps on indirect cost reimbursements, which cover infrastructure and staff salaries, left the school with tens of millions less than expected.
To cope, the university furloughed 200 employees, rescinded graduate offers, and froze hiring. Although some funding resumed later, the pace was too slow to stabilize the institution. Collins warned that an entire generation of scientists could be lost if the system collapses.
Projects Stalled Nationwide
The stakes go far beyond a single lab. Across the country, promising research initiatives have slowed or stopped:
- Ohio State University is testing radiation therapies that minimize damage to healthy tissue.
- Stanford University is developing AI models to predict tumor growth and treatment response.
- Johns Hopkins has identified early genetic markers of cancer years before symptoms appear.
- University of Washington researchers are pursuing cancer vaccines.
These projects represent years of investment and potential breakthroughs. Without consistent funding, their future remains uncertain.
A Fragile System Under Threat
America’s cancer research ecosystem was built on steady federal investment, collaboration, and long-term projects. Private industry rarely funds early-stage research because it is expensive and slow to yield profits. Without government support, entire fields of discovery could wither.
Former NIH leaders have warned that the current situation is “an unmitigated disaster” that could take decades to repair. Once labs close and staff disperse, restarting that momentum is nearly impossible.
For scientists like Sirianni, the impact is personal. Her lab is one of only a handful nationwide studying how to bypass the brain’s natural barriers to deliver life-saving drugs. Without stable support, that knowledge may be lost. “When you remove a lab like mine, you’re removing something that can’t be replaced,” she said.
