From the Community | Federal cuts threaten postdocs: Stanford must step up 

Wesley Allen Williams is a postdoc in the Department of Radiology. His research focus is on scatter correction methods in positron emission tomography image reconstruction, peptide theranostic drug discovery for prostate cancer and dosimetry towards neuralgia-based radiopharmaceuticals in FDA clinical trials. 

2025 was a historic year in academia. Since the beginning of the second Trump administration, its sweeping, whiplash-inducing executive orders and personnel cuts have hamstrung research budgets and directions, jeopardized the immigration status of thousands and suppressed free speech of members of our academic community. As Stanford postdocs, we have seen research fellowships eliminated overnight, our international peers forced to leave the country and the increased threat of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) create an environment of constant fear on campus.

Last year, we distributed a Federal Policy Impacts Survey to postdocs (82% of respondents) and other academic workers (18%) at Stanford. 57% of respondents reported moderate to major effects of federal policy changes on their research (≥ 3 on a scale of 1 to 5). These impacts are likely exacerbated by Stanford’s lack of response to the hardships faced by postdocs – indeed, over half of our respondents are dissatisfied with the University’s response. 

Postdocs at Stanford are highly vulnerable to these policy changes. According to the survey, 80% of respondents rely on federal grants for the majority of their funding, with 92% of grants coming from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or the National Science Foundation (NSF). As of November 2025, an estimated $2.3 billion has been frozen or withheld from NIH and NSF grants, inducing a major crisis for postdoc research funding. These cuts include clinical trials affecting patients, raising not only issues of research progression on campus, but also ethical concerns about patient care. 82% of respondents reported at least partial funding was not renewed, cancelled during the application process or approved but not disbursed, while the remaining reported delayed review applications or cancellations after funding had been awarded. As a result of funding cuts, more applicants have been pushed towards private funding sources, though some private entities have also reacted by closing diversity-associated fellowships.

As postdocs, our employment is directly linked to our funding, and for non-citizens, visas are contingent upon employment. 28% of respondents reported that their employment status has been threatened by the Trump administration’s funding cuts. This affects not just individual postdocs, but Stanford’s ability to conduct world-class research by attracting the best talent and nurturing international collaborations. Recently, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) indicated that an H-1B holder may be subjected to a $100,000 fee if they do not immediately depart to their home country to conduct changes to their visa. Lack of assistance on this issue could cause the hemorrhaging of academic talent abroad as researchers are delayed in their returns.

Overall, postdoc respondents reported job instability (62%), difficulty navigating U.S. funding (58%), immigration concerns (30%) and contemplation of career change from academia to industry (14%). One postdoc mentioned that “[they’re forced] to try to leave academia soon.” Another noted, “after the funding cuts [they are] planning to apply to professor positions at universities outside the United States.” Restrictions on DEI-related research and programs were repeatedly mentioned despite not being explicitly surveyed, as these impact both Stanford postdocs from disadvantaged backgrounds and those who conduct research into marginalized communities. For example, one respondent indicated that their awarded but unfunded application for a “diversity program…[was] cancelled and [they] fear that even though it was a very competitive program that required a lot of work, having a “diversity grant” on [their] resume will be unhelpful…”. 

From the survey, we see echoes of themes found in the Meta-Analysis of Focus Group Conversations section of the Stanford University Postdoctoral Association (SURPAS) Long Range Planning Report. We hope this serves as motivation for additional SURPAS investigation into the impact of the changing research environment on Stanford postdocs in particular.

We at Stanford Postdocs United call upon University president Levin and Stanford administration to commit to protecting our community members, safeguard free expression on campus and safeguard the right to research.

Committing to postdocs’ protection requires refusing to cooperate with ICE’s identification or entry, supporting detained and deported affiliates with relocation costs and affirming university compliance with California and Santa Clara County sanctuary status. This also includes maintaining full coverage of necessary medical care, including gender affirming care and protecting Stanford against acts of sinophobia, including restrictions on international collaboration.

Safeguarding free expression on campus requires upholding the First Amendment freedom to express dissenting opinions to the administration’s ideology through speech, writing and demonstration. Stanford refused to uphold this during the current litigation of the “Stanford 11” after their protest of the university’s position on the genocide of Palestinians. Moreover, this safeguard must also apply in the research domain by allowing “politically unfavorable” research topics to flourish, including diversity, equity and inclusion research as well as research which threatens corporate interests. We echo Stanford American Association of University Professors’ stance for the University to commit to “integrity not neutrality.” President Levin must uphold his assertion: “Universities thrive when faculty and students invite and confront competing ideas and arguments.”

Protecting the right to research for Stanford postdocs requires provision of up to six months bridge funding or to the end of contracted term, whichever comes first, to counteract loss of research and personal funding. This must include providing six months of bridge support for international postdocs unable to enter or delayed in returning to the United States to work for the purpose of maintaining visa status. Stanford must maintain a consistent, unilateral position to reject the Trump administration’s unlawful and discriminatory proposals, executive orders and other communications, including by signing the amicus brief involving over 23 other universities.

To our fellow postdocs: remember you are not alone in the trials that you are currently going through and see before you. We will be there as a community to advocate for our struggles, give volume to our voices and strive to make our rights as university workers sacrosanct.

To our fellow researchers, scientists and peers: stand with postdocs and show that President Levin’s silence is equal to complicity. Sign our petition to the administration voicing the above demands. If you wish to contribute your experiences, fill out our survey.

Stanford Postdocs United is a group of postdocs concerned with improving working and material conditions, including housing, affordability, transit, support for dependents and protection against harassment. Reach out to StanfordPostdocsUnited@gmail.com if you would like to learn more or get involved.

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