Another week of 2025 has passed and there's more bad news related to research. The big item is about NSF. We’re now seeing much of what we have poured our energies into be torn down. It’s critical to take care of ourselves -- to protect our professional lives as well as our emotional wellbeing.

Especially saddening for me this week has been speaking with students approaching graduation while worried about whether they will be able to take the next steps they had planned.

Those further along in their careers, who may have children already through college, own a home, and be financially secure, can still be worried about the staff, students and trainees for whom they're responsible. A heavy burden that I know you are aware of.

Let me remind readers of some ways we can mitigate this situation.

One suggestion is to focus on your own circumstances along with events in the broader world that may affect you. Importantly, there are differences between responding to something happening today, like a grant cancelation, that you must address immediately, versus being constantly anxious and spiraling into negative thoughts by anticipating more problems ahead.

We want to stay informed of important developments and should not put our heads in the sand. So, suggestion #2 is to rely on your institution's official communications channels for factual but not emotionally charged information, as the latter can make one even more upset.

Invest in yourself now because you cannot lose by adding to and strengthening your toolkit. Beyond training and support directly related to research funding, like what Wise Investigator offers, consider training in writing or public speaking, AI implementation, teaching, or project management; or take a technical short course.

These skills will help you win funding from any source, better manage a funded or unfunded project, or become a better teacher, mentor, or stronger advocate for STEM. Continue to apply for funding, and remember that professional development will help you no matter what the future holds. Show funders, customers, and senior administrators that you and your ideas are good investments. You can do this by continuing to move forward whatever you can. As some institutions have begun to freeze startup and discretionary funds, now is the time to make purchases that will support you in the months ahead.

Another thing to consider is updating your online presence to include LinkedIn and any websites you maintain. Those are your homes on the Internet and what people use to form their first impressions of you. If you don’t have one, consider getting a professional headshot, an asset that you will reuse time and time again. Working on your online presence will provide an opportunity for self-reflection, allowing you to formulate a vision that you can grow into. There are benefits here beyond the obvious ones.

Consider setting boundaries around your media consumption. Choose a time of day when you will check news and social media, and limit your time to that. For most of us, what we call work and the other aspects of life are so tightly interwoven it’s not realistic to say simply ‘leave work at the office’ when it will be easier to block out time for activities with family or friends. Put it on the calendar to take the kids bowling, to the farmers market, or a movie this upcoming weekend. Join friends for a restaurant meal. Counteract the effects of stress by giving yourself some well-deserved mental respite.

Faculty are talented people who have made sacrifices to get to where they are now. I do not know exactly how the current situation will be resolved but I do know there are too many intelligent, caring, capable and courageous people willing to do the work needed to get to that resolution, so there’s no way that collectively we will not survive. Keep on with your work. Remember the big why’s behind what you do and that your work is valuable -- whether funded or not. You felt a calling to your career and you're doing some of the most important work out there. We’ll get through it.

From short-term focus to a sustainable funding strategy

Continuing with the series 7 Key Mindset Shifts for New Assistant Professors, in this video I discuss diversifying your research funding for long-term success. Check it out!

When you are ready, here’s how we can help

Need to get your research funded, this year? Check out our 12-week program to get you there.

Check out our storefront where you can access our free Unlocking DOD Funding for University Researchers course and other resources, including for faculty applicants.

Ready to book a call to discuss how our program can support faculty at your institution? Let’s chat!