Time-Sensitive Resources for our Research Community

To our colleagues, collaborators, and community members:

We’ve heard from so many of you—early-career scholars piecing together unstable funding, international teams navigating uncertainties, and equity-driven researchers whose work hangs in the balance—about the devastating, direct, and ripple effects of recent National Science Foundation (NSF) grant terminations.

We wanted to share some time-sensitive resources that we hope can support you or your contacts who may have been affected. While none of these can wholly make up for the immediate impacts, we hope these offer a lifeline to preserve progress or support transition.

Spencer Foundation Rapid Response Grants

The Spencer Foundation, in partnership with the Kapor Foundation, William T. Grant Foundation, and The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, has launched a bridge funding program for scholars who have experienced NSF grant terminations. Please read the thoughtful and inspiring message from Na'ilah Nasir, Spencer Foundation President, announcing the funding opportunity. Grants of up to $25,000 are available to help off-ramp projects thoughtfully, complete critical data collection, support team transitions (e.g., doctoral students/postdocs), and sustain community partnerships. Details to apply here. (Note: There are two final deadline opportunities: May 30 and June 13.)

Open Call to Federally Funded Scientists to Author Op-Ed Articles

Science Homecoming and the Cornell Advancing Science & Policy Club are seeking federally funded scientists to collectively publish op-eds, letters to the editor, and articles in local newspapers to directly communicate the importance of their scientific research to the general public. With a combined circulation of around 15 million people—1.5 times that of The New York Times and 6 times that of The Washington Post—local newspapers reach a more diverse cross-section of communities and demographics than major urban outlets. The goal is to collectively publish 1,000+ articles around the country on June 16, the birthday of Nobel Prize laureate Barbara McClintock. More information on advocating for scientific research through opinion writing can be found here, and please see the flyer below with information on the McClintock Letters campaign.

We’re Here to Help

We want you to know we are committed to advocating for our community and amplifying collective action. We will continue to share news on resources we hope you can use as they become available.

In support and solidarity,
All of us at the Equity Accelerator