Psychological science, suspended

As researchers navigate changes at the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, they continue pursuing critical questions that affect the communities they serve.

The evolving landscape has particularly affected studies examining how information spreads through communities, environmental factors influencing behavior, and research aimed at improving educational and health outcomes across diverse populations. Thousands of research professionals have seen their roles restructured, while access to specific federal datasets tracking educational outcomes, health disparities, and demographic trends has been limited. Grant processes, including renewals and new applications, face terminations or extended timelines, affecting research plans.

Many research programs are seeking alternative funding sources or redesigning their studies to continue addressing critical questions. Legal processes and administrative reviews have led to the reinstatement of several research initiatives, though the overall environment requires continued adaptation.

The field’s response demonstrates psychological science’s fundamental commitment to understanding and improving human behavior and well-being. Researchers continue to focus on protecting the integrity of their science, ensuring continuity of care for those receiving psychological services, and supporting the professional community’s ability to serve effectively.

To understand how these changes affect real communities and the scientists who serve them, we spoke with researchers about their ongoing work and the populations they had hoped to serve. Their firsthand accounts illustrate both the challenges researchers are facing and the changes they are making.

The firsthand accounts in this series represent experiences shared by the featured researchers. APA presents these perspectives to illustrate the various ways federal policy changes are affecting psychological science across different research areas. While APA recognizes the importance of documenting these experiences, the specific views and interpretations expressed are those of the individual researchers and do not necessarily represent APA positions or policies.