Gillibrand warns cuts to NIH would harm UR, RIT and local economy

Press Release, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

ROCHESTER – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand on Friday joined University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology leadership at the University of Rochester to highlight the impact of President Trump’s recent attempts to cut National Institutes of Health funding on the universities and the local economy.

The University of Rochester receives hundreds of NIH grants to study cancer, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, diabetes, allergies, aging, mental health, children’s health, and much more. Slashed funding would force researchers to abandon this critical work and extinguish hope for patients and families looking for cures. This funding cut could also put thousands of jobs across New York State at risk; NIH funding supports roughly 30,000 jobs in New York State alone.

“New York is home to top notch universities that attract the world’s best scientists conducting cutting-edge research,” said Senator Gillibrand. “President Trump’s attempt to radically cut funding for the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology, as well as other research institutions, is irresponsible and short-sighted. It will imperil research that saves lives and is guaranteed to hurt our economy and the thousands of New Yorkers employed by local research institutions. These cuts are facing strong bipartisan opposition, and I am working across the aisle with my colleagues in the New York delegation, including Congressman Morelle, to call on the Trump administration to reverse them.”

Last week, the Trump administration announced that it would slash billions in federal funding for research institutions nationwide by imposing a cap on “indirect costs” for research associated with NIH grants. Indirect costs are expenses that are essential for scientific research, and include the construction and maintenance of research facilities, the purchase of costly scientific tools, and support staffing for major research projects.

The University of Rochester is set to lose $40 million in funding for indirect costs, and Rochester Institute of Technology is set to lost $10 million, which would cripple their ability to continue to conduct much of their research.

New York institutions are expected to lose $850 million in total. While a federal judge has temporarily paused these cuts from going into effect, they have created chaos and confusion for the New York institutions that rely on a steady and stable flow of NIH funding.

“I want to thank Senator Gillibrand for her leadership in opposing these draconian cuts and for her tremendous and unwavering support to our Rochester scientists, doctors, and patients,” said Sarah C. Mangelsdorf, President of the University of Rochester. “Arbitrarily and abruptly cutting groundbreaking biomedical research that has led to countless breakthroughs and that saves, extends, and improves human lives is no way to make government more efficient. It is detrimental to our efforts to improve health in the Rochester/Finger Lakes region and in the Southern Tier, threatens the future health of all Americans, and puts in jeopardy the nation’s position as the scientific and clinical research leader of the world.”

“NIH-funded research forms the backbone for scientific innovation in medicine, driving discoveries that improve lives and strengthen our nation’s global leadership in healthcare and related technologies,” said David C. Munson, President, Rochester Institute of Technology. “To remain competitive, universities must have the resources necessary to support groundbreaking research, including the associated indirect costs, such as laboratory facilities and infrastructure, compliance, and administrative assistance.  Indirect costs are not optional; they are fundamental to sustaining a research environment where faculty, staff and students can focus on advancing knowledge and solving the world’s most pressing challenges.”