The U.S. Department of Defense recently announced its Office of the Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering will discontinue its entire social science research portfolio.
The portfolio consists of 91 studies concerning social trends, access to food, climate change impacts, global migration patterns, and other topics. The cuts are expected to save more than $30 million in the first year.
The cuts are in response to President Donald Trump’s executive orders and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s memorandums emphasizing that funded research must address the development of advanced military capabilities. Capabilities include artificial intelligence-powered systems for enhanced battlefield awareness, hypersonic weapons development, and strengthening the domestic military industrial base.
Hegseth also emphasized the importance of equipping the American military with the tools necessary to deter adversaries.
The cuts will focus resources on “technologies essential for maintaining a strong national defense, aligning with the administration’s commitment to efficient government and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely,” the department said.
Cuts also reflect “the department’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and ensuring every dollar invested in defense generates the greatest possible return for the American people. By focusing on the most impactful technologies, the department is ensuring the U.S. military remains the most powerful and advanced fighting force in the world,” the department said.