Reaching a critical point: ASBMB calls on Congress to re-establish U.S. as the leader in innovation

The latest proposal to slash key federal agency budgets adds to a growing array of actions that threaten the future of American science, which will mean lost cures, treatments and vital economic growth for the American people. Key science agencies are not spending funds appropriated by Congress for fiscal year 2025; training programs are being slashed at the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health and hundreds if not thousands of grants are being terminated arbitrarily. ASBMB calls on Congress to reverse the dismantling of our innovative research enterprise.  

On top of these immediate cuts, President Trump’s FY2026 budget proposes a devastating cut of 40% to the National Institutes of Health budget and an arbitrary reorganization of the agency’s institutes and centers that would eliminate vital areas of basic research. Plus, a proposed slashing of NSF’s budget by $5.2 billion or 57% would further imperil our once thriving research enterprise.  

These collective actions to reduce federal funding of science send the wrong signal to the nation’s essential scientific workforce, the public and America's competitors abroad when we need to fortify and invest in America's once-thriving research enterprise. In one survey, almost three fourths of U.S. scientists who responded were looking to leave the country and countries like France, Belgium and the Netherlands are creating programs to specifically attract American scientists. Combined with the recent termination of numerous training programs, these actions leave us vulnerable, siphoning off valuable scientific talent that will hurt future generations and cures for decades to come.  

While these actions unfold in the U.S., China and other countries are heavily investing in research and development and betting on science, knowing scientific research spurs economic growth and innovation. Choosing to recede from American scientific leadership would have severe consequences: one recent report quantifying the impact of major R&D cuts found that a 25% reduction in public R&D would reduce America’s GDP by 3.8%, which is comparable to the decline in GDP during the Great Recession.  

It cannot be overemphasized that budget cuts and dramatic staff reductions will severely undermine America’s global scientific leadership, damage local economies and ultimately stall the vital U.S. innovation agenda. ASBMB calls on Congress to reject the proposed devastating cuts and policy changes at U.S. science agencies and reaffirm their support for biomedical research — to protect our future, improve American health and re-establish the U.S. as the leader in innovation.