Project on the Future of the US University Research Enterprise
About the Project
In late 2025, Dr. Bruce Guile recruited a small group of experts, all with extensive background in academic R&D policies and practices, to collaborate on a white paper addressing strategy and operational approaches for US research universities to survive the recent dramatic reduction in federal research funding. Completed in January 2026, the paper is linked below for comment and review.
Read the Paper Here:
A Survival Guide for the STEM Research and Education Enterprise at US Universities
Bruce Guile, Marjory Blumenthal, Robert Brown, Peter Hoffman, Eion Lys, Mark Pierpoint, Albert Pisano, Thomas Schuelke, David Teece
(Posted January 16, 2026)
The paper analyzes the rising global competition facing US research universities in recent decades and the degree to which universities have increased internal resources directed to research. These trends provide background context for the Trump Administration’s 2025 reductions in Federal research funding for individual universities and the sector at large. Actual and potential government budget cuts have shifted a slowly unsustainable path into an urgent fiscal crisis at many institutions. The paper recommends four ways in which US research universities need to immediately respond to this crisis even as they prepare to make longer term strategic choices. The descriptions of the four preparatory actions are followed by five actions to cope with reduced Federal research funding, all of which will require exceptional intentionality from most university leadership and boards. The paper closes with supporting policy and practice changes needed to enable adaptive strategic action.
To comment on the paper, please contact: Bguile@ARConsortia.net
Additional BPI Projects on University and R&D Leadership
The Project on the Future of the US University Research Enterprise is a contributor-led effort. Opinions expressed are those of the authors, and may not necessarily reflect the views of Berkeley Policy Institute..
Updated: January 16, 2026