The Minerva Research Initiative, established in 2008, faces funding cuts from the Department of Defense, threatening ongoing research projects integral to national security. The program, which has supported studies on crucial topics like Russian propaganda and climate-induced population movements, received significant grants as recently as August 2023. However, a sudden change under the Trump administration has led to the decision to terminate existing grants without clear justification, leaving researchers confused about the future of their work and funding that supports them and their staff.
"In a rapidly changing world, social science is essential for making sense of human behavior, guiding informed decisions, and understanding societal progress," said David Montgomery.
A March 2 report in Science found that "dozens" of researchers are affected, leaving grant recipients baffled about the sudden termination of the program.
The Minerva program, created in 2008, has funded research into vital national security topics, but its future is now uncertain under changing political priorities.
Experts, including those previously backed by the Minerva program, expressed confusion over the Defense Department's decision to cease funding, questioning its alignment with national security.
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