Adopt a federal agency or researcher
23 April 2025, updated 7 May 2025
The federal government is no longer a reliable funding source for many agencies, projects or researchers because this funding can be withdrawn abruptly and without warning, creating a precarious environment for important work that often relies on long term stability.
This shift creates two major challenges. First, when funding is suddenly cut, agencies and researchers have little ability to secure alternative resources in time to continue their work, even if that work is widely regarded as valuable. Second, this unpredictability damages trust. Even after Trump is gone, it will take decades for people to feel confident that a future president won’t act similarly.
One solution is to transition these programs to state governments, universities, nonprofits or private companies. These institutions offer greater stability and are less likely to terminate support without warning. While the federal government could still provide some funding, it would not be the sole source.
In the current political climate, the most promising candidates for state support are “Democratic trifecta” states, where Democrats control the governorship and both legislative chambers. These include California, New York, Illinois and Massachusetts. These states could partially fund initiatives through public resources and complement that support with private donations. Many states welcome the jobs and innovation that such programs bring and the cost would likely be relatively small.
Additionally, universities, nonprofits and private sector organizations could support or “adopt” agencies, projects or research teams, even if just for a limited time. My business is currently investigating this possibility.
Another possibility, described in this article, is for scientists to form their own organization. This is a great solution but many federal employees are unwilling or unable to do it.
If you are a federal employee whose program has been defunded or destabilized, what are your thoughts? Could this kind of shift offer a more sustainable path forward?
Here are some new organizations formed to address this problem - let me know if I have missed any:
Civic Match by Work for America is a nonpartisan program connecting federal workers and campaign staff with meaningful roles in state and local governments across the country.
Civil Service Law Center LLP is a public service oriented law firm focused on representing displaced federal workers in federal court.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has launched a new website at https://www.nc.gov/join-north-carolina to welcome talented and dedicated people to work for the state of North Carolina.
United by Nature provides evidence based, nonpartisan insights into the changing state of nature across the country. The effort will include the first independent assessment, to be released in July 2026, of how nature in the United States is doing and how it supports our health, security, culture and economy.
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