This Planet Money episode explores the history and potential future of federal funding for American universities, particularly focusing on Washington University in St. Louis. The episode traces the origins of this funding system back to Vannevar Bush's post-World War II vision of government-supported university research, highlighting its role in fostering scientific advancement and American global influence. Amidst concerns about potential budget cuts from the Trump administration, the hosts analyze Washington University's financial structure, examining revenue sources like research grants, patient care, tuition, and endowment to assess the potential impact of reduced federal support and the challenges of maintaining the university's research capacity and global competitiveness.
