Dear IS-MPMI Members,
Recent workforce reduction and spending freezes enacted by the U.S. Federal Government are having far-reaching negative effects on science. Some of our member group leaders in the U.S. Federal Government lost their jobs last month. This has left students, postdocs, and staff adrift and disrupted collaborations around the world. Most of our postdoc members in federal labs have also were fired. Although there have been court-ordered reinstatements, these are temporary, and the future is uncertain. Some universities have decided not to admit new graduate students this cycle, and several have frozen hiring. U.S. investigators have received stop work orders on projects funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, and proposal review has been paused for many federal funding programs. These are extraordinary and challenging times.
IS-MPMI stands with all our members. Here are a few actions that you can take to help support our science and one another:
- First, we encourage you to share the effects that you are experiencing and their impacts.
- For U.S. members, it can be especially useful to contact your congressional representatives and senators. This IS-MPMI webpage provides detailed guidance and calling tips.
- Please also consider sharing your story with IS-MPMI, using this anonymous webform. This information will help us pursue partnerships to support the continuation of the transformative research in plant-microbe interactions that this member community is known for, which is key to global food security and the environment.
- Second, we urge those seeking employment and those hiring to use the IS-MPMI Job Center.
- Searching for jobs is free for job candidates, and we have reduced job posting fees for employer job posts through August 31, 2025. Find your special code in the latest issue of the News Capsule, or by contacting the IS-MPMI Job Center Coordinator at ismpmi@scisoc.org.
- Finally, let us all take time to support one another. The rapid and relentless changes coming out of Washington D.C. and the uncertain future of science in the U.S. are leaving many of us reeling. It is essential now more than ever that we connect, assist, advocate, and creatively solve problems with and for one another.
- To facilitate these discussions, we have launched a private, member-only, online community on LinkedIn that you can join using this link.
The Board of Directors, staff, and I are committed to ensuring the continued strength of our Society, the success of our members, and the critically important scientific advances this community creates. As always, we welcome your feedback and ideas on how best to serve you, especially in these difficult times.
Sincerely,
Adam
Adam J. Bogdanove
President, IS-MPMI