// NATURE NEWS — SPAZIO & SCIENZA

A wake-up call: diversify global research funding

Published: 09/15/2026, 12:00 AM

Guangdong University of Finance and Economics, Guangzhou, China. Search author on: PubMed Google Scholar Search author on: PubMed Google Scholar The US National Science Foundation is set to issue its lowest number of new grants in four decades, after centrally withholding some US$1 billion for the White House’s Grand Research Challenges initiative and withdrawing recommendations to fund more than 150 peer-reviewed proposals (see Nature 657, 18–19; 2026). While the United States retreats, other nations are expanding. The National Natural Science Foundation of China will increase the number of prestigious grants it offers to early-career scientists by 50% this year (see Nature 655, 557–558; 2026). This divergence signals a historic inflection point: as US policy volatility drives away international talent and collaboration, the global research community must build alternative hubs. Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout Exclusive: NSF set to issue lowest number of new grants in four decades Why China should reassess how it rewards young scientists Some US researchers want to leave the country. Can Europe take them?