Urgent: NIH Research Funding at Risk—Take Action Now!

Unfortunately, the threats on National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded research may continue. In the last few days, federal courts have placed temporary halts on White House freezes of federal funding and major cuts to Facilities and Administrative (F & A) rates universities receive to support life science research. There is no guarantee the legal cases will prevail and we need to be ready for more changes to research to be proposed in the days and weeks to come.

It is crucial, therefore, that you continue to contact your Congressional representatives and let them know how important the NIH is to the research you do and to the economy of your state. It is estimated that, on average, every dollar of federal research funding results in $2.46 of economic activity in the United States!

Very few members of Congress understand the impact NIH funded research has on the economy of your state. You need to tell them.

Here’s How To Have Your Voice Heard:

1. Finding Your Representative’s Phone Number: Visit govtrack.us and enter your home address to find your Member of Congress or Senators. Their Washington, D.C. office phone number will be listed for each representative.
2. When a staff member answers, introduce yourself with your name and address to confirm you are a constituent. If you get a voicemail, leave a message.
3. Your conversation may be brief, as they may have to answer other calls. Clearly explain why you’re calling, what you want your representative to do, and your research field. Also, mention any potential medical outcomes your research could have.
4. Be courteous and respectful, and offer to leave contact information for further follow-up.

Encourage your colleagues and lab members to make calls too.

Sample Call:

“Hello, my name is [Dr. Ruth Jones], and I live on [South Street in Yourtown, Rhode Island]. I am a [biomedical researcher at the State University], where I study [briefly describe your research]. This research is funded by the NIH and is crucial because [in one sentence explain why your research is important to the public].

The recent decisions by the White House to severely cut NIH supported research worry me deeply. Not only is the research done at the universities and medical schools in our state important for science and medicine, but it also has a very positive impact on our state’s economy. In fiscal year 2023, [see link] in research grants were awarded to our state which resulted in [see link] jobs, including the [10] members of my lab.

The recent decision to reduce Facilities and Administrative (F & A) funds to universities will cut [see link] to our state and will drastically hurt my ability to do science. Our universities are our partners.

I urge [Senator Smith] to work to protect science in America. Thank you for your time, and I would be happy to discuss this further at any time.”