80+ Chambers Of Commerce Raise Alarm On STEM Talent Exodus, R&D Funding

LeadershipCareers80+ Chambers Of Commerce Raise Alarm On STEM Talent Exodus, R&D FundingByShalin Jyotishi,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I cover the intersection of science, workforce, and industrial policyFollow AuthorMay 27, 2026, 01:59pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.The Business for Federal Research Funding Coalition, a network of Chambers of Commerce dedicated to advocating for increased R&D funding, has raised the alarm on the loss of STEM talent to foreign countries amidst proposed budget cuts and funding uncertainty.Getty ImagesFor the second year in a row, the Trump administration has proposed substantial cuts to federal research funding at science agencies. The funding uncertainty is not only a budget challenge for students, professors, and scientists at universities. It is also challenge for businesses seeking competitive advantage and top-flight talent. According to a recent report from the Business for Federal Research Funding Coalition, an alliance of more than 80 Chambers of Commerce from 36 states advocating for increased federal research funding, the United States is losing ground on STEM talent due to funding loss and uncertainty, Over the past year, universities, community colleges, national security experts, and economists have been united in warning against the consequences of federal research cuts on economic mobility, national defense, and the national GDP. But businesses are increasingly stepping up to make their voice heard in national science policy debates.Originally formed in 2017, the Business for Federal Research Funding Coalition was relaunched in 2025 by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, following a period of dormancy during the Biden administration when science funding was stable. The coalition emphasizes advocacy for a range of federal agencies, including the National Institutes...