Delta Think partnered with 27 professional societies and associations to launch a Global Author/Researcher Survey. The survey has revealed growing concern among researchers over the long-term consequences of US government research funding cuts, with responses from over 13,000 researchers across 135 countries highlighting potential shifts in publishing, collaboration, and scientific priorities.
The survey examined how researchers in six core disciplines—health Sciences, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Engineering and technology, Social Sciences, and Arts and humanities—are responding to funding uncertainties and policy disruptions.
Among US-based authors, 62% reported an expectation to publish fewer articles in the next one to two years, citing instability in federal research support and policy shifts as significant constraints. These concerns extend to reduced peer-review participation and conference attendance, signaling broader disruptions to scholarly activity.
International researchers also expressed unease, with 50% indicating a preference for submitting manuscripts to non-US journals. This trend suggests a potential reconfiguration of the global research landscape as institutions reevaluate their affiliations and publication strategies.
The findings reveal key contrasts in concerns: US researchers emphasized fears about eliminating funding and its implications for career continuity and institutional viability, while international researchers highlighted anxieties over reduced access to US-based research networks, data, and collaborative opportunities.
Delta Think plans a follow-up survey in October and November 2025 to track evolving attitudes and behaviors. The survey will move from a snapshot to longitudinal insight into the lasting effects of policy and funding shifts. The upcoming phase will also invite broader participation beyond the original partners.
Designed to offer data-driven guidance for societies, publishers, and institutions, the initiative reflects Delta Think’s aim to support strategic decision-making in a volatile research environment. The findings include community-specific insights for each participating organization, laying the groundwork for tailored responses to funding challenges.
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