In light of continued federal incompetence in passing budgets, I recently suggested that finding alternative sources for research funding is worth considering.  The state of the economy, both here and abroad, adds to that need.

Unfortunately, it’s possible that a good alternate source of funding – foundations – may not be as available as I thought.  Noted paleontologist Richard Leakey recently noted that the credit crisis will likely affect scientific research because of reduced donations to foundations.  Dr. Leakey, of Kenya, made his remarks this week while speaking at the University of Arkansas as part of a book tour.  Acknowledging that there are many other consequences of the crisis that are more dire, he noted:

“With the investment portfolios being hit as hard as they’ve been hit in the last few weeks, particularly the last few days, I would have thought there would be a very dramatic reduction in available funds for research in all sorts of countries,” Leakey told reporters Wednesday. “Unless they bring it under control, I think it’s going to spread. I think it’s extremely worrying for science.”

Now funding of scientific research outside of the United States might be more reliant on funding from foundations, philanthropists and companies than it is here, but it seems unlikely the United States would be immune from the necessary spending and investment cutbacks likely to take place over the next several years in those institutions.  So the squeeze is likely to get tighter.