WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) continued his advocacy for Virginia’s research institutions, including the many world-class research universities across the Commonwealth, by urging the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to reconsider proposed funding caps on facilities and administrative (F&A) research costs. In a letter to Acting NIH Director Matthew Memoli, the congressman emphasized the devastating economic and research-related consequences of the proposed 15 percent cap on NIH grant recipients across Virginia and the nation.
“NIH grants to these institutions support post-graduate and doctoral student research – the backbone of the future medical research and patient care workforce,” said Congressman Wittman. “This funding also supports local economies whose contractors and businesses support the infrastructure needed for this research. … I know we share the same acknowledgement of the importance of robust NIH funding for research institutions that are developing the breakthrough therapies, pharmaceuticals, and technologies needed to address our country’s acute medical challenges. I look forward to working with NIH to attain cost savings while ensuring the continued support of NIH grant recipients.”
Congressman Wittman’s advocacy underscores the vital role NIH funding plays in sustaining innovation and ensuring Virginia and America remains a global leader in medical advancements. Earlier this month, he advocated on behalf of Virginia Commonwealth University to ensure their successful RTR Teacher Residency Program, which trains future teachers dedicated to serving their communities, can reapply to continue receiving federal grant funding.
Virginia’s research institutions received almost $600 million in federal research and development funding in fiscal year 2024, directly supporting more than 127,300 undergraduate and 43,000 graduate students. A cap on NIH funding would result in a $109 million loss in research expenditures across the Commonwealth, hitting institutions like Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and Virginia Tech especially hard.
Read the full letter here.
