The Dismantling of NOAA Research

2 Pathways to Elimination:  The Trump administration is following 2 pathways to dismantle NOAA's Oceanic and Atmospheric Research division (commonly referred to as NOAA Research or OAR):

1. Unilaterally by laying off staff and ending programs. Since February 2025, the administration has laid off 880 NOAA employees with more terminations threatened. The administration has also shut down projects. For example, it abruptly ended it's 40-year old, Billion Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters database. 
2. With Congressional approval via the FY2026 spending bills. Trump called for a 74% cut to NOAA Research in his 2026 budget proposal. He also proposed elimination of NOAA's research laboratories and its 16 cooperative institutes involving 80 partner universities. Other NOAA programs proposed for elimination include Sea Grant and the National Estuarine Research Reserve System.

Big Decision in Congress:  Congress is now deciding on the FY2026 spending bill for NOAA. Good news — the current draft bills reject Trump's extreme cuts and fund NOAA Research at close to 2025 levels. But there is still a long road for these bills to pass and it is uncertain if Trump will follow what they say. 

Critical Research for Society's Wellbeing:  NOAA OAR conducts our nation's leading research on our atmosphere, weather, climate, oceans, coasts and lakes. This science enables our society respond to our greatest environmental challenges including extreme weather events, air pollution, ocean acidification, invasive species, water pollution, and climate change. 

The Backbone of Environmental Science:  NOAA Research is the backbone for our nation's environmental science efforts. It includes 16 cooperative institutes involving 80 partner universities. 

Urgent Action:  Please call your local representative and senators about the 2026 budget. Urge them to fully fund NOAA Research at 2025 funding levels. 

Organizations To Support:  Union of Concerned Scientists is one of several organizations that is championing NOAA and opposing the Administration's dismantling of the agency. Please follow them on social media and get involved with their campaign to save NOAA.