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The Next Step in Trump’s War on Science - Center for Progressive Reform
A proposed new rule would replace merit-based funding of science with a heavily politicized process. It would also deprive scientists of the ability to rely on finding for long-term projects. This proposal has no real legal basis. It is likely to undermine American science, giving a boost to China's efforts to take over global scientific leadership.
White House still has not offered solution to GOP concerns over ‘weaponization’ fund, leaving immigration funds in limbo
Many Senate Republican remain furious at the Trump administration’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund and are refusing to advance a separate bill to fund immigration enforcement until guardrails are put in place.
AMD extends Socket AM5 support through at least 2029; AM4 refuses to die
The 5800X3D returns at $349, while the 7700X3D debuts at $329.
Asus gives the ROX Xbox Ally the OLED screen it deserves
But the hardware refresh is tethered to a bundle with pricey AR glasses.
DuckDuckGo makes its 'no-AI' search engine easier to access as its traffic booms
Alternative search engine DuckDuckGo launches 'no AI' web extensions for Chrome and Firefox users.
What’s in a name? When it comes to women’s health, sometimes a lot
Polycystic ovary syndrome has been renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome. The change reflects the biological reality of this complex, whole-body disorder.
Better sleep, improved health, happier people: how ‘cool roofs’ could help millions avoid deadly heat
A project to measure how reflective paint reduces indoor temperatures is delivering tangible benefits across Africa
Launch of new WHO Heat–Health Action Plans Guidance
On 11 June 2026, WHO/Europe will launch the new WHO Heat–Health Action Plans Guidance, an international point of reference for systematic, evidence-based health action in preparation for and response to extreme heat. The launch of the new Guidance will take place in Berlin, at a joint hybrid press conference hosted by the Federal Minister for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, together with the WHO Regional Director for Europe, the Senator for Science, Health and Care of the State of Berlin, and a senior representative from the European Commission Directorate-General for Climate Action.
Contributor: The Forest Service is too important to be a political pawn
Some proposed changes, including to firefighting functions, have been criticized as seemingly intended to dismantle this storied institution.
Arts and entertainment calendar
Events coming up in the Greenville area offer music, arts, theater and family fun. Here is a sampling.
The unbending politics of Xavier Becerra
The mild-mannered Democratic frontrunner has built a career on painstaking deliberation — and a stubborn refusal to back down once he has made up his mind.
Dell Prepares New Alienware Gaming Monitors, Featuring 39″ 5K OLED, 34″ 280Hz OLED, And Two Curved 32-34″ 240Hz Gaming Monitors
Dell unveils the Alienware AW3926QW1, world's first 39" 5K RGB Tandem OLED monitor, plus AW3226DM and AW3426DW with high refresh rates up to 280Hz
Infringement risks of generative AI in entertainment industry (Part 1)
From digital identity licensing to training data provenance, artificial intelligence generative content (AIGC) is pushing ownership, liability and due diligence to the forefront of business decision-making
To strengthen science, institutions must reward collaboration
The problems science is expected to address are too large and too interconnected for any one lab to tackle alone. Our research spaces and academic reward systems must evolve to reflect that reality.
Texas Business Court Is a Powerhouse for Resolving Civil Disputes
The Texas Business Court reflects a recognition that a large and complex economy with a capital-intensive, technology-driven industry needs a forum designed for those cases, writes White & Case’s Sean Gorman.
Researchers from around the world gather in Roanoke for exercise science conference
Leaders said hosting the conference in Southwest Virginia reflects the region’s growing presence in scientific research.
Fire Science Academy prepares high school students for firefighting careers
University of Nevada, Reno Extension’s Living With Fire collaborates U.S. Bureau of Land Management and other agencies to train nextgen firefighters.
Meitav Investment House Announces Immediate Report Concerning Selected Business Data for April 2026
/PRNewswire/ -- Meitav Investment House (TASE: MTAV) announced today that further to the Company's immediate report dated March 2, 2026 (Reference No....
Meitav Investment House Announces Immediate Report Concerning Selected Business Data for April 2026
Meitav Investment House (TASE: MTAV) announced today that further to the Company's immediate report dated March 2, 2026 (Reference No. 2026-01-019142) regarding the adoption of an ongoing monthly reporting mechanism for selected business data, material to its operations, with the objective of enhancing transparency of business operations and improving the information available to the investors, the Company is pleased to publish the data for April 2026.
OpEd: Let DTLA Do the Work for More Housing - Los Angeles Business Journal
I live and work in downtown Los Angeles. Daily, I pass vacant storefronts, empty historic buildings and surface parking lots where residential towers
Wiley Registry of Mass Spectral Data - 2026 Edition
New edition of the Wiley Registry of Mass Spectral Data expands compound coverage to over 915,500 reference spectra.
NHS single patient record to be debated for first time
Reforms to the NHS records system could result in 20,000 fewer visits to A&E annually, according to government projections.
A bachelor’s in rare earths? In China, there are schools for that
China's dominance of rare earth refining is built on its sprawling research and teaching ecosystem. The West is now investing heavily in hopes of breaking that monopoly.
A Sea Cucumber's Amputated Tissue Refuses To Die. Could It Live Forever?
What does it mean to be alive?
ASUS announces first 24.5-inch OLED esports monitor with 540Hz refresh rate
ASUS reveals 720Hz ROG Swift OLED Edition 20 and 540Hz ROG Strix OLED esports monitor ASUS is adding two new Tandem WOLED gaming monitors to its ROG
This strange crystal acts like metal and glass at the same time
A remarkable crystal called molybdenum oxychloride could help make futuristic technologies like smart contact lenses and ultrathin AR glasses a reality. Scientists have created the first detailed experimental map of its optical properties, revealing the strongest light-bending effect ever measured in a natural material. The crystal can act either like a reflective metal or transparent glass, allowing it to manipulate light with extraordinary efficiency while being thousands of times thinner than a human hair.
Ministry of Public Health, WHO Thailand and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Thailand launch initiative to strengthen Thailand’s public health workforce
28 May 2026 | Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in ThailandA skilled and coordinated public health workforce is essential for protecting population health and responding to public health emergencies. Strengthening these capacities was the focus of a meeting held on 28 May 2026 at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Thailand.Dr Ailan Li, WHO Representative to Thailand, together with Dr Watcharanan Tinnaitorn, Deputy Director of the Division of Public Health Emergency Management, Ministry of Public Health, and officials from WHO and the Ministry of Public Health, met with Counselor Zhang Xiaoxiao from the Economic & Commercial Counsellor's Office, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Thailand to mark the launch of collaboration under the WHO Roadmap to strengthen the public health workforce.The initiative supports Thailand in strengthening its public health workforce across both health and non-health sectors. Public health emergencies require coordinated action across a wide range of professions and institutions, including health workers, border control officers, water safety specialists, communication professionals and local government authorities. Through the project, partners will work together to assess workforce capacities, strengthen competencies and promote coordination across sectors to support preparedness and response efforts.The discussion highlighted opportunities to enhance cross-country collaboration through knowledge exchange, communication activities and engagement at key project milestones, supporting workforce development and emergency preparedness efforts.Beyond its immediate objectives, the initiative also reflects Thailand’s contributions to public health at regional and global levels. The exchange highlighted the importance of sharing experiences, lessons learned and good practices through international cooperation to strengthen public health capacity and preparedness.WHO expressed appreciation to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Thailand for supporting the project and recognizing the importance of investing in public health workforce development, preparedness and health security through partnership and multilateral cooperation. WHO also commended Thailand’s continued leadership and commitment to strengthening public health systems and emergency preparedness, including through cross-sector collaboration and workforce development.WHO remains committed to supporting Thailand and partners in advancing resilient and people-centred public health systems and strengthening preparedness for future health challengesAbout the EPHF Roadmap ProjectThailand is one of four countries selected in 2026 to initiate implementation of the Essential Public Health Functions (EPHF) Roadmap, alongside Maldives, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste. The initiative is funded by the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA). The project is led by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health, with WHO Thailand serving as a co-implementing partner. Other partners include the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), the International Association of National Public Health Institutes (IANPHI), the Global Network for Academic Public Health/Public Health Interprofessional Leadership Alliance (GNAPH/PHILA) and the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA).
Dell unveils $699 XPS 13 laptop in challenge to Apple's MacBook Neo
Dell on Sunday unveiled its most affordable laptop, XPS 13, as the PC maker aims to capture market share from Apple's MacBook Neo by attracting students and young professionals.
Thunder’s Chet Holmgren Reflects on WCF Struggles Against Spurs
The Oklahoma City Thunder fell to the visiting San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals.
Talks for Alajbegovic on standby, Gasperini wants more experienced players
Kerim Alajbegovic’s future is still unclear, but the Bayer Leverkusen winger is pushing for a move to Serie A. As confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, the 2007-born striker has given Italy a preferential p...
Dave Chappelle honors Eddie Murphy with stories of his late brother Charlie: 'He always said how proud he was of you'
During Netflix's 'AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy,' Dave Chappelle fondly reflected on his relationship with late 'Chappelle's Show' costar Charlie Murphy.
What are you actually doing with Gemini?
Further reflecting on Google’s practical focus for Gemini and AI in general at I/O 2026 last week, I still find...
Viral Ilocos empanadas put San Diego family business in the spotlight
Inside JNC Filipino Catering, dough is pressed by hand, fillings are carefully prepared, and one of the Philippines' most beloved street foods is lowered into hot oil.
Report: New Apple TV, HomePod mini set to launch this fall; Siri Remote 'refresh' possible
According to the latest edition of the Power On newsletter, Apple is gearing up to finally launch new versions of...
Jodi's Journal: To-do list for the next mayor
As the city prepares to elect a new mayor, Jodi reflects on a worthy to-do list.
The speeches about AI that drew strong responses from 2026 grads
College graduates know about AI. Speakers, including former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, have learned to tread carefully when discussing it commencement.
Rapidly growing business given its first storefront in partnership with the Greenbrier
We're All In This Together
Rapidly growing business given its first storefront in partnership with the Greenbrier
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WV (WVNS) – The Greenbrier is partnering with rapidly growing House of MBR to give it its first ever storefront. The House of MBR was founded in 2023 and has utilized t…
Firefighters battle large fire at Southington auto parts business
Firefighters battled a large fire at an auto parts business in Southington on Saturday morning as neighbors watched thick black smoke pour from the building.
President Trump responds to uproar over Giants QB Jaxson Dart's appearance at rally
Trump referenced the controversy on social media after Dart and teammate Abdul Carter addressed their differences over supporting the president.
Sajid Javid says backing Liz Truss to lead Tories was his ‘biggest political mistake’
Former chancellor also tells Hay festival ‘good riddance’ to Tory MPs defecting to Reform
Firefighters battle large fire at Southington auto parts business
Firefighters are battling a large fire at an auto parts business in Southington on Saturday morning.
Scientists Intrigued by Chunk of Flesh That Refuses to Die After Several Years
An amputated sea cucumber tissue survived for years in a natural environment, leading researchers to declare it immortal.
Newcastle United consider Ligue 1 duo as Anthony Gordon replacement
Anthony Gordon completed his move from Newcastle United to Barcelona on Friday. The Premier League side are therefore in the market for a replacement for the England international, and according to a ...
Can NiJaree Canady and Texas Tech take home a national title?
The million-dollar pitcher reflects on her college career as she gets her last shot at winning it all.
‘Passing the baton:’ Frederica Wilson reflects on her political career
Friday was a day of celebration in Miami Gardens for the Miami congresswoman’s long career.
Plaintiffs suing New York argue against climate law budget rollbacks
"The commonsense reforms Governor Hochul fought for in this year's budget protect New York's status as a climate leader."
Peter Thiel's move to Argentina reflects billionaire trend
Peter Thiel is reportedly moving to Argentina, part of a trend among billionaires looking to live abroad as they hedge their bets on the US.
Scientists develop 'smart paint' that reflects 97% of sunlight and could reduce AC use during heatwaves
As heatwaves become more frequent and intense around the world, scientists are exploring new ways to keep buildings cool without increasing energy consumption. Researchers at the University of Sydney, working with startup Dewpoint Innovations, have developed a nano-engineered coating that reflects up to 97% of sunlight and stays significantly cooler than conventional surfaces.
Ravens and CareFirst offer a $50,000 grant for health
The Baltimore Ravens and CareFirst are offering a 50000 grant to a Maryland nonprofit for mental health support.
Catch the Columbia Fireflies this weekend on Palmetto Sports & Entertainment
The Columbia Fireflies are back on the airwaves this weekend on Palmetto Sports & Entertainment.
Catch the Columbia Fireflies this weekend on Palmetto Sports & Entertainment
The Columbia Fireflies are back on the airwaves this weekend on Palmetto Sports & Entertainment.
Art, movement and mental health for New York's first responders
A Russell Sage College graduate and volunteer firefighter is using art and movement to help first responders manage trauma.
Seeking Feedback on Plans To Merge Corporate Counsel Section Into Business Law Section - New York State Bar Association
At the April House of Delegates Meeting, the Corporate Counsel Section presented a recommendation to dissolve the Corporate Counsel Section and merge its members and programs into the Business Law Section. “After careful consideration over the last few years, the leaders of the Corporate Counsel Section agreed unanimously to merge the section into the Business Law Section of NYSBA,”
WATCH: Bondi refused to answer any questions about Trump and Epstein files, Rep. Garcia says
APS brings back Kaiser, Cigna for health insurance next year after 2023 ‘debacle’
Three years after dropping Kaiser Permanente and Cigna as health-insurance providers, Arlington Public Schools is bringing them back. Superintendent Francisco Durán said at the May 28 School Board meeting that the two firms had been selected to provide health-insurance coverage for a three-year period beginning at the start of 2027. They will replace CareFirst BlueCross
Global Health Watch: CDC Directors Warn About PEPFAR, Ebola & Aid Cuts, Policy Developments Threaten Open Science
A commentary by eight former US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) directors urges the US Department of State to reform PEPFAR, not dismantle it; the growing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa and ongoing hantavirus concerns underscore the risks abrupt changes pose to global health security; and a proposed new US federal grant regulation […]
Frederica Wilson confirms she won’t seek reelection
Florida Congresswoman Frederica Wilson told the Miami Herald she won’t seek reelection, reflects on District 24 legacy and plans to stay politically engaged.
Backrooms is at the forefront of horror’s YouTube wave
Filmmakers like Kane Parsons are getting their start on YouTube, before moving to bigger productions.
DuckDuckGo US app installs surge after Google’s AI force-feed
Long favoured by privacy advocates, the search engine DuckDuckGo successfully rebrands as the ultimate refuge from chatbot-led web answers.
Acer announces Predator and Nitro monitors with up to 1000Hz refresh rate
Acer reveals Predator XB273K 3D and Nitro XV273U F5 1000Hz monitor Acer has announced a new gaming monitor lineup under its Predator and Nitro brands. The
WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel amended
WHO Member States adopted a resolution to amend the ‘WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel’ (the Code) and strengthen its implementation, following Member State-led consultations in the lead up to the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly. The resolution marks an important step towards the vision that everyone, everywhere can access competent and motivated health and care workers, as a foundation for both universal health coverage and global health security. Key additions to the Code focus on: inclusion of provisions on health personnel recruited internationally for employment as care workers; applicability of the Code recommendations during emergencies; and encouraging co-investment in health systems and health workforce to ensure international recruitment results in proportional benefits for source and destination countries.Since its adoption by the Sixty-third World Health Assembly in 2010, the Code has undergone three rounds of review of its relevance and effectiveness. “We welcome the resolution’s focus on sustainable and ethical mobility of health personnel,” explained Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General, Health Systems, Access and Data. “The Code’s adoption in 2010 was a landmark achievement. Following this update, we encourage all countries to enhance implementation, including by viewing co-investment as a win-win.” The additions were recommended by an Expert Advisory Group appointed by the WHO Director-General. The Expert Advisory Group’s final report noted the progress in health workforce data availability, provision of migrant health worker rights and the embedding of ethical recruitment principles in national policies. It also highlighted areas of possible improvement in the Code implementation, including support for the strengthening of health systems in source countries.The adoption of the resolution follows extensive consultations led by Member States, underscoring the continued relevance of the Code in a context of increasing international mobility of health workers and growing pressure on health systems resulting from global health emergencies and funding constraints.WHO is already taking forward actions called for in the resolution. An updated version of the ‘WHO health workforce support and safeguards list’, that guides ethical recruitment practices by identifying countries facing the most pressing health workforce challenges, will be published later in 2026. As recommended by the Expert Advisory Group, this will include additional flexibility enabling countries to indicate their willingness to allow active international recruitment, or for Member States not on the list to request tailored support and safeguards. This approach reflects a more nuanced, country-led framework that balances workforce mobility with the need to protect and strengthen health systems in vulnerable settings.“I thank the members of the Expert Advisory Group, the group of Member States who led the resolution, and all Member States for their constructive engagement,” added Dr Nakatani. “Let’s bring this spirit of collaboration to our collective efforts to implement the resolution, strengthen the health workforce and build resilient and equitable health systems.”
iPhone 18 Pro's Camera Upgrade Will Cost Apple 50% More
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max's all-new variable aperture lens will cost Apple 50% more than the camera unit used in current models, according to supply chain analyst a href="https://x.com/mingchikuo/status/2060241890117857624?s=20">Ming-Chi Kuo. Variable aperture has been one of the most persistent iPhone camera rumors of the past few years.
Small business owners bend Murphy's ear on issues
U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy met with small business owners in Greenville this week to discuss health care costs, tax policies and challenges they are facing.
Sunbed firm in hot seat over false claims that tanned skin protects against sunburn
Health organisations refute assertion by Sunbed Association that tanning is protective and warn it could increase risk of skin cancer
Primary care as public utility: Imagine that, researchers urge
A team of healthcare scholars is making U.S. states an offer they hope the border-defined polities won’t refuse: If you’ll pay for the reinvention of primary care, we’ll help sell the public on the rightness of measured, state-level efforts to preserve the profession.
Secretary of State announces final wording for transgender sports referendum
Bellows’ office said the final wording was issued because the measure could still appear on the ballot if the secretary’s decision is overturned on appeal.
I’m an IVF Doctor. Business Is Booming Because Ob-Gyns Aren’t Doing Their Jobs.
Just last Monday, a woman sat across from me in my office and asked a question I have come to dread. Why had no one told her? She is 33, a therapist, married three years, and she has been to her gynecologist every year since high school. She was also on the brink of perimenopause. She had assumed that when she was ready, her body would be too. No one in two decades of annual visits had ever explained that the most consequential decisions about her capacity to bear children were being made by her ovaries on a calendar she could not see, while her doctor took her blood pressure and refilled her birth control. She is the patient I see several times a month. She is the most preventable tragedy in American medicine. I am board certified in both obstetrics and gynecology, and reproductive endocrinology. There’s a fertility crisis happening right now in America—and a furious debate about who is to blame. The alleged culprits include housing, smartphones, and capitalism. One group is getting off lightly: ob-gyns. Read [ How Perimenopause Became America’s New Health Scare ](https://www.thefp.com/p/how-perimenopause-became-americas) In July, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the U.S. fertility rate had fallen to fewer than 1.6 children per woman—the lowest figure in our history—despite a 2025 survey of American Gen-Z women that found that nearly three-quarters intended to become mothers. American women are not opting out of building a family. They are running out of time.
NBA Draft Lottery reform winners and losers: Why new system is set to benefit some of league's best teams
The NBA reportedly passed a '3-2-1' model of Draft Lottery reform on Thursday, and the Thunder and Spurs might have the most to gain
EPA delays reporting requirements for health-harming chemicals
Federal regulators are giving chemical manufacturers and petroleum refiners more time to provide data on a group of chemicals that have been linked to human health harms as officials consider tighter regulations.
Trump's DOJ sues Maine over denying undercover license plates for federal agents
President Donald Trump's administration is suing four states over their refusal to issue undercover license plates to federal agents, the latest front in the wider struggle between the White House and Democratic-led states over the Republican president's immigration crackdown.
Nithya Rajan’s journey from the field to the forefront of crop science
Nithya Rajan, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife agronomist and cropping system researcher, developed a producer-outcome perspective for soil science.
Black Women Political Candidates Are Expected to Be 'Likable,' Qualified and Tireless. Men Aren’t.
What I had experienced during that run wasn’t entirely unfamiliar to me. The year before, in 2013, I had run for president of the Young Democrats of America (YDA), a national political party office role, against a popular opponent. The opponent was a Black man, so race wasn’t a factor in the election; however, gender was. Before my campaign, I was vice president of YDA and had heard only good things about my service: my fundraising efforts, the partnerships I had engineered with progressive organizations, and programming coordination for the membership. However, when I decided to run for president, I instantly became ‘difficult to work with’ and ‘mean.’ Research on women candidates confirms that voters are less likely to vote for a woman if they don’t like her; by comparison, voters don’t need to like men to elect them. But when I was running as the Black woman candidate in a seven-candidate primary for public office, with two other women in the race, I noticed almost nothing about my being ‘difficult’ and more about my ability and work ethic. My experience running for public office reflected the systemic bias and double standards not just for women candidates, but Black women candidates who dare to aspire to any sort of political leadership—and that needed to change. We need more progressive Black women in public office for a myriad reasons, but we also specifically need the younger generation of Instigators in office, candidates who understand the times in which we live currently. Electing more Black women will take real investment in changing the biases and attitudes (conscious and unconscious) of mostly white donors, media, campaign staff, consultants and institutional leaders to help shift the culture and systems. But this support needs to be substantively increased so that we can rebuild an inclusive, multiracial democracy with the leaders we want and need. (Excerpted from The Instigators: How Black Women Have Been Essential to American Democracy by Atima Omara.)
Federal judge refuses to block Trump order to create federal voter list and limit mail voting
U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, a Trump appointee in Washington, late Wednesday rejected the request by Democrats and civil rights groups that had argued President Donald Trump’s order would likely be found unconstitutional.
He left big law, became a DJ to pay his bills, and built sports clubs inside refugee camps. Now he wants more members than Bayern Munich
Jan van Hövell's KLABU turns shipping containers into community hubs for some of the world's 120 million displaced people. PSJ just signed on to help.
Best Buy Ups Quarterly Entertainment Sales 38%
Best Buy May 28 reported a 38.1% surge in first-quarter (ended May 2) same-store entertainment sales, compared with a 15.2% decline in the previous-year period. The entertainment segment, which includes video game hardware and software, books, music CDs and computer software, saw revenue of $577.4 million, or 7% of Best Buy’s domestic revenue of $8.2 … Continue reading "Best Buy Ups Quarterly Entertainment Sales 38%"
Granberg joins advisory group to Trump’s college sports roundtable
A University spokesperson said Granberg is participating in an advisory group of college presidents to Trump's Saving College Sports roundtable which is advocating for reforms in collegiate athletics, like regulating the process by which student-athletes earn money and establishing structured rules for the transfer portal and NCAA eligibility.
Federal Rule Takes Aim at Health Care Bureaucracy, Reducing Dispute Fees, and Boosting Transparency
Major reforms were finalized today to strengthen the No Surprises Act.
Judge refuses to block Trump order to create voter list, limit mail voting
The Trump-appointed judge rejected arguments by Democrats and civil rights groups that the provision exceeds the Republican president's powers
Judge refuses to block Trump order to create voter list, limit mail voting
The Trump-appointed judge rejected arguments by Democrats and civil rights groups that the provision exceeds the Republican president's powers
Scottish independence: try, try again?
‘Symbolic’ push for referendum shows ‘Scotland’s constitutional future has returned to the core of British politics’
Polish scientists and students rally in campaign for 3% funding target
Polish scientists and students have been flooding social media with calls on the government to raise research and development spending as part of 3% for Science, 100% for Poland, a campaign born earlier this month out of frustration with chronic underfunding in the academic sector. On May 27, thousands took the slogan on to the streets.The EU has been trying to convince member states to raise their R&D expenditures to 3% of GDP for more than two decades, but the idea has never gained traction in capitals. Finance ministers were too busy plugging budget holes created in the aftermath of the 2008 crisis, then the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and now the war in Iran.Critics say that countries missed or ignored the target because it is voluntary, but also because research communities have rarely raised their voice to put pressure on national governments. The European Commission hopes to make the target legally binding in the upcoming European Research Area Act, an EU-wide regulation that should be announced by the end of the year. Academia in Poland has been faced with a funding crisis for years, often leaving its members with no other choice but to work abroad in order to access better resources, or leave the sector altogether in the hope of earning a decent living. The risk, in the long-term, is that brain drain stifles local innovation capacity and technological competitiveness.In just a few weeks, the movement rallied nationwide support, including from major academic bodies and trade unions such as the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland and the Presidium of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Its public petition collected more than 23,000 signatures. On May 27, it formed the first large protest for science in Poland, gathering thousands of people in front of the parliament building in Warsaw.Ilona Uryga-Bugajska, representative of the Marie Curie Alumni Association Poland Chapter, was there. “The protest was peaceful, with no incidents reported, and the entire event took place in a respectful and calm atmosphere,” she said. Banners she saw in the crowd carried slogans such as “A little longer and I’ll be teaching in a supermarket,” “National culture, starvation salary,” “Stop the destruction of science,” “Passion will not pay the rent,” “Without action, don’t expect a better future,” and “Pull science out of the hole.” She also observed a strong presence of young researchers, who are on the frontline of Poland’s academic crisis.“Academics are usually people who prefer discussion, analysis, dialogue and compromise. We are not a group that protests easily,” said Katarzyna Marzec, professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Jagiellonian University Medical College and AGH University of Krakow, who also took part. “But many of us feel that we have been pushed against the wall.”Aleksandra Rutkowska, translational neuroscientist and research group leader at the Medical University of Gdańsk, agreed. “Frustration in the scientific community is very high,” she said. “Science is often used politically as a symbol of innovation and modernity, but the everyday reality inside many institutions is much more difficult. There is a large gap between the public narrative and the actual condition of the sector.”Maria Wiktoria Górna, head of the structural biology group at the University of Warsaw and one of the organisers of the movement, told Science|Business that the campaign would continue without proven results. This might involve another strike in the autumn, she said. “Empty promises are not enough by now.”Campaign demandsAccording to Uryga-Bugajska, the organisers officially presented their demands and concerns to representatives of the government present at the event. These included Marek Gzik, deputy minister of science and higher education, and Karolina Zioło-Pużuk, secretary of state of that same ministry.The headline demand, for the government to increase national spending on R&D to 3% of GDP by 2030, should be within Poland’s economic capacity, Rutkowska said. “The real question is whether there is genuine long-term political commitment to treating science as a strategic priority rather than a slogan.”In 2024, R&D expenditure in Poland stood at 1.41% of GDP, which is slightly above the average for central and eastern Europe, with countries such as Czechia recording 1.82%, Hungary 1.31% and Romania 0.46%. However, it falls noticeably short of the EU average of 2.24%, which just a handful of countries exceed, including Germany, Belgium and Sweden.Campaigners are also asking for fair wages for scientific staff, including PhD stipends and junior academic salaries, which are widely considered uncompetitive. Starting doctoral scholarships amount to some €843 gross per month, when the statutory minimum wage stands at €1,135. By pushing early-career researchers out of Poland, growing precarity has caused a generational gap in the academic workforce, with just 25% of lecturers aged under 40. In this context, the movement fears that scientific careers could soon be accessible to a privileged minority only.Grzegorz Spólnik is a case in point. After 15 years working in mass spectrometry at the Polish Academy of Sciences, he decided to leave partly “to earn enough money to live a normal life,” he said. “At that time, my earnings were similar to those of people working in grocery shops, and the work-life balance is something that does not exist in science, or is very hard to achieve.”Now a senior field service engineer for Polish laboratory equipment supplier Bioanalytic, he would consider going back to research, “but never in the public sector, maybe some start-up or a big private company with ambitious R&D.”The campaigners want to see more support for basic research and have called for €236 million to be added to the budget of the National Science Centre (NCN) in 2027 so that the average grant application success rate does not fall below 25%.“At the protest, there was a banner I particularly liked: ‘NCN is not a lottery.’ Unfortunately, for many researchers, it increasingly feels exactly like one,” Marzec said. “Personally, I am one of the lucky ones. I work at two of the strongest institutions in the country, where the research standards are very high. I know that in many other institutions, the situation is much worse and obtaining funding for research at an early-career stage is becoming nearly impossible.”Rutkowska also considers herself fortunate. After studying abroad and holding a postdoctoral position, she returned to Poland, where her pay was supported through an NCN-funded project linked to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. “This also made me very aware that good research conditions in Poland often depend on external competitive funding rather than on stable support from the system itself,” she said.Long-term strategyBeyond the lack of funds for both salaries and grants, scientists believe that the issue is structural. “The biggest problem at the moment is the complete lack of a clear long-term strategy for the development of science and research from the current government,” Marzec said. “Everything ends with declarations and promises that are never truly followed by concrete actions or structural reforms.”Rutkowska agreed, citing a lack of infrastructure, continuity and long-term institutional support.“Running a research group in Poland often means functioning as an entire institution at once,” she said. “I am a principal investigator, a mentor, a recruiter, a project administrator and, when needed, still someone who returns to the lab bench to help with experiments,” she went on. “This creates a large hidden workload that takes time and energy away from actual science. At times, it feels as though scientists are no longer expecting extra help; we simply hope the system will stop creating additional obstacles that make research unnecessarily difficult.”Related articlesStrategic thinking: Germany funds joint research with Poland and FrancePoland to transfer €30M of regional funds to boost Horizon Europe participationPoland is funding fewer basic research grants as high inflation hitsIn short, “academics are expected to teach, publish papers, apply for grants and conduct high-quality research, while funding and salaries remain very limited,” said Uryga-Bugajska, who returned to her home country after 13 years in the UK.According to Marzec, another issue is the way that research institutions are evaluated. Previously, this took place every four years, with a clear differentiation between stronger and weaker institutions. “The current government, perhaps to avoid political backlash, effectively concluded that everyone is doing well, so in practice no meaningful evaluation took place,” she said.But in her view, “some form of serious assessment is necessary” to ensure the excellence and international competitiveness of Polish institutions, and to determine how to best use public resources and where institutional structures need reform. “Some institutions may need to rethink hiring practices in order to attract ambitious young researchers who are capable of obtaining competitive grants and building internationally visible research groups.” Rutkowska has already had to adapt. “When hiring PhD students, I often have to combine different funding sources creatively to make positions attractive enough for talented people to stay in science,” she said. “Many young researchers do not see a stable future in academia in Poland, and that is deeply worrying.”
Polish scientists and students rally in campaign for better conditions
Polish scientists and students have been flooding social media with calls on the government to raise research and development spending as part of 3% for Science, 100% for Poland, a campaign born earlier this month out of frustration with chronic underfunding in the academic sector. On May 27, thousands took the slogan on to the streets.The EU has been trying to convince member states to raise their R&D expenditures to 3% of GDP for more than two decades, but the idea has never gained traction in capitals. Finance ministers were too busy plugging budget holes created in the aftermath of the 2008 crisis, then the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and now the war in Iran.Critics say that countries missed or ignored the target because it is voluntary, but also because research communities have rarely raised their voice to put pressure on national governments. The European Commission hopes to make the target legally binding in the upcoming European Research Area Act, an EU-wide regulation that should be announced by the end of the year. Academia in Poland has been faced with a funding crisis for years, often leaving its members with no other choice but to work abroad in order to access better resources, or leave the sector altogether in the hope of earning a decent living. The risk, in the long-term, is that brain drain stifles local innovation capacity and technological competitiveness.In just a few weeks, the movement rallied nationwide support, including from major academic bodies and trade unions such as the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland and the Presidium of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Its public petition collected more than 23,000 signatures. On May 27, it formed the first large protest for science in Poland, gathering thousands of people in front of the parliament building in Warsaw.Ilona Uryga-Bugajska, representative of the Marie Curie Alumni Association Poland Chapter, was there. “The protest was peaceful, with no incidents reported, and the entire event took place in a respectful and calm atmosphere,” she said. Banners she saw in the crowd carried slogans such as “A little longer and I’ll be teaching in a supermarket,” “National culture, starvation salary,” “Stop the destruction of science,” “Passion will not pay the rent,” “Without action, don’t expect a better future,” and “Pull science out of the hole.” She also observed a strong presence of young researchers, who are on the frontline of Poland’s academic crisis.“Academics are usually people who prefer discussion, analysis, dialogue and compromise. We are not a group that protests easily,” said Katarzyna Marzec, professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Jagiellonian University Medical College and AGH University of Krakow, who also took part. “But many of us feel that we have been pushed against the wall.”Aleksandra Rutkowska, translational neuroscientist and research group leader at the Medical University of Gdańsk, agreed. “Frustration in the scientific community is very high,” she said. “Science is often used politically as a symbol of innovation and modernity, but the everyday reality inside many institutions is much more difficult. There is a large gap between the public narrative and the actual condition of the sector.”Maria Wiktoria Górna, head of the structural biology group at the University of Warsaw and one of the organisers of the movement, told Science|Business that the campaign would continue without proven results. This might involve another strike in the autumn, she said. “Empty promises are not enough by now.”Campaign demandsAccording to Uryga-Bugajska, the organisers officially presented their demands and concerns to representatives of the government present at the event. These included Marek Gzik, deputy minister of science and higher education, and Karolina Zioło-Pużuk, secretary of state of that same ministry.The headline demand, for the government to increase national spending on R&D to 3% of GDP by 2030, should be within Poland’s economic capacity, Rutkowska said. “The real question is whether there is genuine long-term political commitment to treating science as a strategic priority rather than a slogan.”In 2024, R&D expenditure in Poland stood at 1.41% of GDP, which is slightly above the average for central and eastern Europe, with countries such as Czechia recording 1.82%, Hungary 1.31% and Romania 0.46%. However, it falls noticeably short of the EU average of 2.24%, which just a handful of countries exceed, including Germany, Belgium and Sweden.Campaigners are also asking for fair wages for scientific staff, including PhD stipends and junior academic salaries, which are widely considered uncompetitive. Starting doctoral scholarships amount to some €843 gross per month, when the statutory minimum wage stands at €1,135. By pushing early-career researchers out of Poland, growing precarity has caused a generational gap in the academic workforce, with just 25% of lecturers aged under 40. In this context, the movement fears that scientific careers could soon be accessible to a privileged minority only.Grzegorz Spólnik is a case in point. After 15 years working in mass spectrometry at the Polish Academy of Sciences, he decided to leave partly “to earn enough money to live a normal life,” he said. “At that time, my earnings were similar to those of people working in grocery shops, and the work-life balance is something that does not exist in science, or is very hard to achieve.”Now a senior field service engineer for Polish laboratory equipment supplier Bioanalytic, he would consider going back to research, “but never in the public sector, maybe some start-up or a big private company with ambitious R&D.”The campaigners want to see more support for basic research and have called for €236 million to be added to the budget of the National Science Centre (NCN) in 2027 so that the average grant application success rate does not fall below 25%.“At the protest, there was a banner I particularly liked: ‘NCN is not a lottery.’ Unfortunately, for many researchers, it increasingly feels exactly like one,” Marzec said. “Personally, I am one of the lucky ones. I work at two of the strongest institutions in the country, where the research standards are very high. I know that in many other institutions, the situation is much worse and obtaining funding for research at an early-career stage is becoming nearly impossible.”Rutkowska also considers herself fortunate. After studying abroad and holding a postdoctoral position, she returned to Poland, where her pay was supported through an NCN-funded project linked to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. “This also made me very aware that good research conditions in Poland often depend on external competitive funding rather than on stable support from the system itself,” she said.Long-term strategyBeyond the lack of funds for both salaries and grants, scientists believe that the issue is structural. “The biggest problem at the moment is the complete lack of a clear long-term strategy for the development of science and research from the current government,” Marzec said. “Everything ends with declarations and promises that are never truly followed by concrete actions or structural reforms.”Rutkowska agreed, citing a lack of infrastructure, continuity and long-term institutional support.“Running a research group in Poland often means functioning as an entire institution at once,” she said. “I am a principal investigator, a mentor, a recruiter, a project administrator and, when needed, still someone who returns to the lab bench to help with experiments,” she went on. “This creates a large hidden workload that takes time and energy away from actual science. At times, it feels as though scientists are no longer expecting extra help; we simply hope the system will stop creating additional obstacles that make research unnecessarily difficult.”Related articlesStrategic thinking: Germany funds joint research with Poland and FrancePoland to transfer €30M of regional funds to boost Horizon Europe participationPoland is funding fewer basic research grants as high inflation hitsIn short, “academics are expected to teach, publish papers, apply for grants and conduct high-quality research, while funding and salaries remain very limited,” said Uryga-Bugajska, who returned to her home country after 13 years in the UK.According to Marzec, another issue is the way that research institutions are evaluated. Previously, this took place every four years, with a clear differentiation between stronger and weaker institutions. “The current government, perhaps to avoid political backlash, effectively concluded that everyone is doing well, so in practice no meaningful evaluation took place,” she said.But in her view, “some form of serious assessment is necessary” to ensure the excellence and international competitiveness of Polish institutions, and to determine how to best use public resources and where institutional structures need reform. “Some institutions may need to rethink hiring practices in order to attract ambitious young researchers who are capable of obtaining competitive grants and building internationally visible research groups.” Rutkowska has already had to adapt. “When hiring PhD students, I often have to combine different funding sources creatively to make positions attractive enough for talented people to stay in science,” she said. “Many young researchers do not see a stable future in academia in Poland, and that is deeply worrying.”
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