More than half of authors of leading research say funding is declining
Summary
A global survey of more than 6,000 researchers who have published in Nature Index journals since 2020 finds that a majority — 53% — believe funding for leading research in their fields is falling, while only 21% see it rising. The pessimism is strongest in North America (69%), whereas respondents in parts of Asia and Oceania are comparatively more upbeat. The survey also highlights regional differences in intentions to leave research and gendered patterns: women are slightly more likely than men to say funding is declining and to consider leaving the sector.
Key Points
- 53% of surveyed research leaders say funding for top projects is decreasing; 21% say it is increasing.
- Pessimism is highest in North America (69% reporting declines); Asia and Oceania show a more mixed picture.
- Large US funding cuts and policy changes (NIH, NSF actions) are cited as drivers of North American pessimism.
- Around 17–18% of researchers in Europe and North America are likely or very likely to leave research within 2–3 years, higher than in other regions.
- Women report slightly higher levels of funding decline (57% vs 51% for men) and are more likely to consider leaving, reflecting concentration in insecure early-career roles.
Content summary
The Nature Index Research Leaders survey gathered responses from a representative sample of more than 6,000 authors of influential papers. Overall, more respondents in every region reported falling funding than rising funding. North America stands out for its negative outlook, linked to recent US funding cuts and policy moves affecting NIH and NSF grants. By contrast, many countries in Asia (including China, Singapore, South Korea and Japan) have increased or reinvested in research funding, shifting the global funding balance.
The survey also asked about career intentions. A notable share of researchers in Europe and North America — roughly one in six — say they are likely to leave research in the next two to three years, a rate higher than in Africa, South America and Asia. Gender differences emerged: women are more likely than men both to perceive declining funding and to be considering exiting research, likely tied to the higher proportion of women in precarious early-career posts.
Context and relevance
This piece matters if you follow research policy, university leadership or career planning in the sciences. It documents perceptions that funding is contracting in many established research economies while growing in parts of Asia. The findings feed into ongoing debates about research talent retention, global shifts in R&D investment, and how funding policy decisions (for example, large-scale cuts or re-prioritisation) ripple through the research workforce and influence mobility and diversity in the sector.
Why should I read this?
Short answer: if you care about where research money — and jobs — are going, this is a useful snapshot. It tells you who’s upbeat, who’s bailing, and where the money seems to be moving. We read it so you don’t have to slog through the full survey unless you want the nitty-gritty.