Grant funding withdrawn because of economic climate

Today marked a black day in my research career — some of my grant funding was withdrawn. I'm not sure how much or how soon, but I am worried that it will be the whole enchilada. Thankfully this was done not for any errors on my part, but because of "the economic climate."

Frankly, I'm surprised it took this long, with all the terrible news stories I have been reading about the bailout, the Dow dropping down through the basement, and the decreasing levels of philanthropy. But anticipating something like this does not make it any easier. I feel disappointed, not just for my personal loss, but also because other people's salaries were included in this grant. I also wonder how I will get funding to complete the study so that the patients who have already participated didn't do it in vain.

It adds stress to my life when I am already acutely feeling a lot of stressors under my skin. (I know, I know. Breathe. This too shall pass. I'll get more funding, I'm scrappy and determined, and I can do it.) Hmmmm, perhaps what I am feeling is what a lot of Americans are feeling tonight, sitting at their kitchen tables, looking at their checkbooks.