Slow Drain of NIH Funding

The NIH budget doubled from 1999 through 2003, but increases since then have all been well below inflation. Frustrated with the slow rate of progress, researchers are fighting back.

Noting that decades of NIH funding have brought researchers into a new age of cancer research and treatment in which "we now have multiple examples of effective treatments that target the molecular alterations of specific subsets of tumors," Brugge told members of the Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C., she fears "we are losing the momentum and the dedicated careers that were fueled by the previous federal investment.

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As recently as the 2003-04 academic year, NIH grant renewal rates for researchers with established projects was around 46 percent. Now, according to the report, it is less than half that - around 20 percent - which means that eight out of 10 established scientists are having their research slowed by gaps in their funding.

One example of the damage caused by the flat budgets is in spinal cord injury research. Since 2003, annual funding levels have declined by over 26% to $65 million. If things don't change, 2007 will see it fall another million.

Researchers looking to push for increased funding might want to consider working with patient advocates who support the same goal. One group of such patients will be gathering in DC from April 22-24 at Working 2 Walk.

Brugge, Colleagues Urge Senate to Increase NIH Funding [Harvard Gazette]