The Office of the Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) is discontinuing its social science research portfolio to focus on fiscal responsibility and mission-critical activities. This decision aligns with the Administration's commitment to efficient government spending, ensuring taxpayer dollars are used wisely.
In response to President Trump's Executive Orders and Secretary Hegseth's priorities outlined in his "Message to the Force" on January 25, 2025, and the "Restoring America's Fighting Force" Memorandum on January 29, 2025, the Department recognizes that funded research must address urgent needs for developing advanced military capabilities. Affected studies include those examining global migration patterns, climate change impacts, and social trends.
Examples of discontinued studies are:
- The Climate-Food-Urbanization Nexus and the Precursors of Instability in Africa
- Social and Institutional Determinants of Vulnerability and Resilience to Climate Hazards in the African Sahel
- Anticipating Coastal Population Mobility: Path to Maladaptation or Sociopolitical Stability
- Comparing Underlying Drivers of South-North Migration in Central America and West Africa
- Democracy Quest
- The Language of Parasocial Influence and the Emergence of Extremism
- Weaponized Conspiracies
- Beyond the Clock: Understanding Cross-Cultural Temporal Orientation of Military Officers
- Food Fights: War Narratives and Identity Reproduction in Evolving Conflicts
- Future Fish Wars: Chasing Ocean Ecosystem Wealth
The Department anticipates saving over $30 million in the first year by ending these 91 studies.
Secretary of Defense Hegseth has stressed equipping American military forces with tools necessary to deter adversaries. This initiative supports that goal by prioritizing investments in hypersonic weapons development, AI-powered systems for battlefield awareness, and strengthening domestic military industrial capacity.
This realignment demonstrates a commitment to fiscal responsibility while ensuring every defense dollar generates significant returns for Americans. By focusing on impactful technologies, the Department aims to maintain U.S. military superiority globally.
