Researchers Face Pressure from Trump Administration’s Political Survey

A recent survey from the Trump administration mandates researchers working abroad to disclose connections to entities viewed as antagonistic, raising concerns over funding impacts and the prioritization of domestic over international research efforts.

The Trump administration has initiated a controversial survey aimed at researchers and organizations involved in overseas projects, demanding they disclose any affiliations with entities deemed hostile, including those associated with “communist, socialist, or totalitarian parties.” According to a questionnaire obtained by Echosphere News, the online survey was circulated to groups engaged in global health research, including studies on diseases like HIV and initiatives aimed at enhancing public health systems.

Recipients of the survey, which are funded by agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the United States Agency for International Development, were requested to respond within 48 hours. The questionnaire bears a striking resemblance to one previously dispatched to USAID's partners, an agency that has undergone significant changes under the current administration. Entitled "Foreign Assistance Review," this recent communication has sparked apprehension among grantees, some of whom fear that giving unflattering or politically incorrect answers could jeopardize their funding.

The questionnaire underscores a critical stance: “Taxpayer dollars must not fund dependency, socialism, corrupt regimes that oppose free enterprise, or intervene in internal matters of another sovereign nation.” It encapsulates the administration's narrative of prioritizing domestic growth, innovation, and economic robustness over international aid campaigns.

The move signifies a broader trend of political influence over scientific research and engagement in global health initiatives, raising alarms among scientists and advocacy groups who worry about the implications of such a directive on international collaborations and the pursuit of critical health research that transcends national boundaries.