Recent executive orders from the Trump administration have caused significant disruptions in research funding, particularly affecting institutions like UCSD and Penn. Researchers are facing confusion and anxiety as funding freezes and new restrictions on certain language have emerged, leading to fears of political influence over grants. The NIH has recently resumed grant-making processes after a communication freeze, but many scientists remain uncertain about the future of their projects. The situation has prompted academic leaders to call for action to defend institutional funding structures, while concerns grow that these policies may set back scientific progress by decades.