SSRC Stands Up Economic Research Rescue Fund for Researchers Hurt by NSF Cuts

The non-profit Social Science Research Council is offering a lifeline to economists whose existing grants from the U.S. National Science Foundation were terminated this year. Through an Economic Research Rescue Fund announced last month, the SSRC is offering emergency cash to backfill the promised federal money that has been cancelled, terminated or suspended.

The fund offers aid of up to $250,000, but expects most requests to fall between $25,000 and $50,000. While there is no deadline to apply, SSRC notes that the pool of money is limited and so those seeking aid should move quickly.

“Private philanthropy can only replace a tiny fraction of the funds rescinded;” the SSRC says, “however, small amounts prudently applied can help investigators continue or complete disrupted work.”

The SSRC reports that charities such as the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation are funding this initial rescue effort. SSRC seeks more contributions to either lengthen the reach of the Economic Rescue Fund or extend the initiative to other disciplines.

Projects eligible for rescue funding must have received an NSF funding award before June 1, 2025, have had that award officially ended or suspended, and be economics related. The latter can be shown by including the CV of at least one practicing PhD economist who was part of the original NSF application.

The principal investigator for each project can apply for rescue funding through the SSRC’s application portal. Various requirements are outlined there, but a key requirement is a narrative letter outlining “the social value of the work that is being disrupted, including why this project is important for the nation and, if applicable, the world.” The SSRC notes that “The Public Review Panel will rank submissions based on these letters alone and not based on the original NSF proposal that already passed peer review.”

The composition of the review panel has not been set, but is expected to include “a politically balanced slate of consumers of economic information, including former state and local officials, high school teachers, journalists, and business leaders.”

If you are interested in contributing to the SSRC rescue effort, contact rescuefund@ssrc.org. Apart from the SSRC, those interested in efforts to save funding at the NSF itself can visit Save NSF.