Who Will Step Up?
With the federal government canceling grants for research and proposing even more cuts in future budgets for federal research agencies, the question arises, what does that mean for progress?
A new essay in Issues in Science and Technology sheds light on the critical role that philanthropy plays in funding research and its future role. Importantly, the report clearly states that philanthropy cannot fill the void left by federal cuts. So, can industry fill the void? The answer is no. The federal government is by far the largest funder of noncommercial research, the seed corn of scientific and medical progress. If the federal government drops the ball, the R&D ecosystem will slow to a crawl in this country. Let me repeat, we need more advocacy in support of federal research — more advocates and more engagement with policymakers and the public by advocates. And that brings me to:
Appropriations in Full Swing: A more detailed version of the president’s FY26 budget request is expected to be released tomorrow. As you may recall, the “skinny budget” (read our release here) released on May 2 omitted proposed funding levels for FDA and in other ways — expected and not — made it challenging for House and Senate Appropriations Committees to write their versions of funding legislation.
With a more comprehensive budget in hand, the Committees can meet timelines like those on the schedule the House Appropriations Committee has established for its FY26 “markups” (hearings focused on revising and amending proposed legislation), including the House version of the Labor-HHS bill. The Subcommittee markup is scheduled for July 21, with the full Committee markup to follow on July 24.
On the Senate side, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, Director of the National Institutes of Health, will testify before the Senate Appropriations LHHS Subcommittee on June 10 to discuss the administration’s FY26 budget request for NIH. All this leads me to…
Advocacy! The deadline to sign the current community sign-on letter in support of NIH funding is fast approaching! Join more than 435organizations and 2,000 private citizens aligned in support of bold funding for this pivotal research agency. To sign on behalf of an organization, use this link. To sign as an individual, use this link. The deadline to sign is Tuesday, June 3, 2025, by 5 p.m. ET.
We also ask that you share this sign on opportunity with friends and family. Americans and populations across the globe need cures, not cuts! We’ve created this Facebook/LinkedIn template in the hopes you will help bring this sign-on opportunity to as many people as possible.
Support VA Medical Research: A Senate Dear Colleague letter is now circulating in support of the VA Medical and Prosthetic Research Program in FY26. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) is leading the letter, and Senate offices can sign on via Quill [link for congressional staff only]. The staff point of contact is [email protected]. We encourage you to reach out to your Senators and urge them to sign on by the Tuesday, June 3 deadline. You can view the letter text here.
Member-Only Meeting: Join us on Thursday, June 5, from noon to 12:45 p.m. ET for an off-the-record, alliance member-only interactive discussion with Meghan Mott, Professional Staff Member for the Senate Appropriations LHHS Subcommittee, which allocates funding to NIH, CDC, AHRQ and other crucial research agencies. For Zoom registration, please email Jacqueline Lagoy. This meeting is not open to the press or organizations outside the Research!America alliance.
China on the Rise: The online news organization Axios today published an article that outlines the increasing biotech competition from China, which has now surpassed the U.S. in the number of clinical trials it sponsors. It’s no longer a projection to say China will supplant the U.S. on many markers of global leadership. It’s a fact and it has significant consequences.
The Axios article also mentions a report issued just last month by the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, chaired by Sen. Todd Young (R-IN), that calls for swift congressional action to bolster biotechnology in the U.S. as a national security matter. Use the Axios story and the report for compelling advocacy messaging. U.S. policymakers have a choice: Do we chart our future or let other nations do it for us?
STAC Update: The Science and Technology Action Committee premiered the STAC Update on Tuesday, your source for developments and commentary as STAC advocates for bold investments and strategic policies that secure America’s leadership in science and technology.
Tune In for State of Science Address: National Academy of Sciences President Marcia McNutt will deliver the second State of the Science Address on Tuesday, June 3, from 3 to 5 p.m ET. Following her address, Kelvin Droegemeier, science adviser to President Trump during his first term, will moderate a discussion with other research leaders. I’m sure this will be an enlightening discussion in light of current events. You can register here.
ICYMI: I encourage you to take a few moments to watch the discussion we held earlier today with awardees from Research!America’s Civic Engagement Microgrant Program and Public Engagement Content Award initiative. Listening to the creative ideas and the passion expressed by these early career researchers inspires hope and drives us to do more advocacy.
Join Research!America: Amplify your policy and advocacy efforts! Join our multi-sector alliance. The membership process is straightforward, the benefits are compelling, and your participation informs and intensifies our community’s influence on and off Capitol Hill. Email Senior Director of Development and Membership Kristen Furlong for more information.