News

At a time when children’s lives are being shaped ever faster by AI, social media and innovations in education, health and the economy, the President’s proposed cuts to essential scientific research in his latest budget must be soundly rejected by science allies in Congress.  

Particularly concerning are the proposed funding cuts to the National Science Foundation (NSF) of 55%, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) of 13%, and the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of 67%. These cuts would significantly disrupt critical research and limit our members’ ability to generate the evidence needed to improve outcomes for children, leaving federal and state policymakers, teachers, pediatricians, social workers, and parents in the dark. Progress in areas of bipartisan interest, such as kindergarten readiness, math achievement, youth mental health, and career readiness, would suffer. 

We particularly call on the Administration and bipartisan science allies in Congress to immediately halt the proposed elimination of the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE) Directorate at the NSF. While little known to the public, SBE-funded research—$320 million in fiscal year 2026—provides essential insights into how to help people of all ages in the U.S. thrive in a rapidly changing society. Elimination of the SBE would be deeply detrimental to child development and U.S. competitiveness. 

SRCD looks forward to working with bipartisan allies in Congress and the Administration throughout the budget process, finding common ground in our shared interest in children and families thriving.

Sincerely,

Suzanne

Suzanne Le Menestrel, Ph.D., CAE 
Executive Director
Society for Research in Child Development