Washington, DC — During Trump’s second term, the number of peer-reviewed studies authored by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) scientists has dramatically declined, according to figures posted today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). This diminished production reflects a steep reduction in the scientific research being conducted at EPA.

So far in 2026, there have only been 61 peer-reviewed publications by EPA scientists, compared to 339 in 2024. If this 2026 pace is maintained, only 183 articles will be published this year. This decline began in 2025, the first year of Trump’s second term, with a 19% dip in such publications, following almost a decade of robust production. Ironically, the all-time high year for such publications was 432 in 2018, during Trump’s first term. However, since publications can take years to review and publish, much of this work was done under the previous administration.

In recent months, Trump’s EPA has taken the final steps to disband its research arm, the Office of Research and Development. In its place, EPA has created a much smaller Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions (OASES) to allegedly focus on shorter-term projects limited to statutorily required functions. As a result, hundreds of scientists have resigned from the agency, with hundreds more being reassigned to other jobs, some non-scientific.

This also represents a shift away from long-term basic research, such as experiments looking into the health effects of chemicals or pollutants. This basic research produced peer-reviewed publications that shared research results with the broader scientific community.

“These numbers represent a diminution of scientific contributions from the fewer, remaining EPA scientists,” stated PEER Science Policy Director Kyla Bennett, a scientist and attorney formerly with EPA. “It is as if EPA is seeking to reduce the sum total of human knowledge.”

In addition, OASES has instituted a new “Advance Notification Policy” requiring advanced approval of any significant research publication to ensure that it is “consistent with all applicable agency policies.” Scientists have expressed concern that this new policy will prevent the publication of any research that does not align with the Trump policy agenda of deregulation.

“This retreat from published research will have a self-reinforcing effect in that young scientists who want to publish will avoid going to EPA,” Bennett added, noting that the advancement of scientific careers relies upon published work. “The net result is that the scientific contribution of EPA to a greater understanding of what affects human health and the environment will be diminished.”

###

Chart the precipitous drop in EPA scientific publications 

Look at the yearly totals

Read OASES Advance Notification Policy 

See mass exodus of EPA scientists

Revisit loss of laboratory animals

PEER protects public employees who protect our environment, natural resources, and public health. We support current and former environmental and public health professionals, land managers, scientists, enforcement officers, and other civil servants dedicated to upholding environmental laws and values across federal, state, local, and tribal governments.