What Florida has at stake in federal funding freeze fight
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Florida could have lost more than $1 billion in federal health and science funds if President Trump hadn't reneged on his memo that ordered a "temporary pause" on grants and other spending.
Why it matters: Trump's now-rescinded memo raised concerns among scientists and researchers about the administration's commitment to public health and the politicization of science.
Catch up quick: National Science Foundation (NSF) grant reviews and National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for new projects were paused while both agencies sought clarity on the president's memo.
- Trump retreated on his federal spending freeze on Wednesday after it unleashed major backlash and confusion.
Zoom in: Local leaders and nonprofits, like the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and Metro Inclusive Health, breathed a sigh of relief after the reversal.
- And since disruptions could still be on the horizon, most have adopted a wait-and-see approach, per the Tampa Bay Times.
By the numbers: In fiscal year 2024, the NSF and NIH allocated $1.1 billion to universities, research institutions, and other health and science organizations in Florida.
- Those two agencies support a wide variety of scientific and health research, education and more. The NIH, for example, played a major role in developing COVID-19 vaccines.
What's next: For the country's science and health communities, the next few days and weeks will be rife with uncertainty as the long-term implications of Trump's moves come into focus.