UW-Madison statement on proposed fiscal 2018 federal budget

The following institutional statement was released on March 16, 2017 in response to requests from media.

President Trump’s fiscal year 2018 proposed federal budget includes deep cuts to scientific research on agriculture, energy, health, and the environment and to the arts. Federally-supported research is central to the health of our nation’s citizens, environment and economy.

The proposed cuts threaten efforts aimed at improving the everyday lives of Americans in a competitive and changing world. The proposed cuts would harm universities such as the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where a robust scientific and educational enterprise depends on the support of the agencies whose budgets could be significantly reduced under the plan.

Researchers at UW–Madison rely heavily on federal research dollars that they compete for from these agencies to keep their labs running, their research projects and innovations moving forward, as well as to support our students. Federally-supported research at UW–Madison has generated scores of companies and thousands of jobs. Reducing the role of the federal government in funding science and technology would place our state and nation at a serious competitive disadvantage.

The budget proposal is the first step in an ongoing process. We will continue to work with members of Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation, the Association of American Universities, the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and the American Council on Education to share our views and ensure Wisconsin’s interests are represented.