Laboratory professionals across the United States are the unsung heroes behind research break throughs, disease detection and surveillance (think avian influenza or measles), food safety, and accurate patient diagnoses. But now, the elimination of federal funding and personnel not only at agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), but also at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), significantly impairs these labs’ abilities to continue to function. Cuts at the federal level will have repercussions across labs everywhere in the United States and beyond.

This blog post will explore the direct and indirect repercussions of these cuts on laboratories nationwide. It’s important for laboratory personnel, and the broader organizations in which they sit, to be aware of the changes these cuts will induce so they can plan their response and optimize their systems to do more with less.

Direct Impacts on Research Laboratories

Fundamental research will be gutted by the loss of NIH grant funding. Those grants support university-level research that often pursues higher-risk inquiry—the kinds of studies that may not see results for years. But these studies are the bedrock of the eventual scientific breakthroughs that change lives.

It doesn’t take a scientist to understand that the potential consequences of such federal funding cuts will hinder scientific progress, delay new projects, stop ongoing research, and lead to brain drain as researchers move to countries with deeper pockets.

Specific research areas that may face disproportionate impacts include basic science research, translational research, or specific disease-focused initiatives (think HIV). These initiatives are often taken up by universities, where the indirect costs (overhead) were heavily financed by NIH grants. The current plan is to limit reimbursement for those costs to 15%, although this has yet to take effect.

Infrastructure and Equipment Funding Cuts

Capital expenses, such as laboratory equipment and software, are the primary targets when budgets are reduced. Reduced funding for these expenses will lead to delayed upgrades or instrument integrations, increased downtime, and limits on research capabilities. This makes optimization of existing systems an urgent need.

Indirect Repercussions for Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratories

Public Health

HHS was instrumental in funding public health laboratories and research. Budget cuts will weaken the ability to respond to public health threats such as disease outbreaks or known pathogens (think forever chemicals).Such sweeping cuts will leave fewer resources for the facilities that retain funding.

Clinical Research

NIH funding supported clinical trials and translational research that directly impacted patient care, such as cancer research. These cuts will lead to fewer clinical trials and eventually to reduced access to new diagnostic tools and treatments.

Laboratory Capacity and Staffing

Public and nonprofit clinical and diagnostic labs are going to be severely constrained for the foreseeable future. Adequate staffing levels and resources are likely to be a thing of the past. Prepare for increased workloads, hiring freezes, longer turnaround times, and overall reduced service quality.

Broader Economic and Societal Implications

Impacts on Innovation

University research has underpinned the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries for many years. Here in Delaware, where CSols has its headquarters, federal funding cuts have affected the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) and the planned Securing American Biomanufacturing Research and Education (SABRE) Center at the University of Delaware. Similar losses in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) innovation will be felt across the country.

Health Disparities

Underrepresented populations in the United States have historically faced challenges in accessing quality healthcare. These disparities are likely to increase with federal funding cuts to research on specific health issues prevalent in underserved communities.

Global Competitiveness

The brain drain that will inevitably occur because of these cuts will have far-reaching impacts. As many as 75%of scientists recently polled are considering leaving the U.S. This will blunt our competitive edge. The U.S. may face difficulty retaining its position as a global leader in scientific research and development.

What Can Laboratory Professionals Do About Federal Funding Cuts?

By now, you might be wondering where the good news is. As bland a platitude as it is, we must remember that the current situation is temporary. Administrations change in the United States, and the current one will too. The goals of the administration’s changes are to strengthen the economy and reduce national debt. These changes are intended to bring the U.S. into a better position to invest resources where they can do the most good.

In the meantime, here are some things you can do to make a difference:

• Stay informed—changes at the federal level are happening every day.
• Talk to your congressional representatives about your concerns—constituent telephone calls and letters are very effective.
• Watch for the President’s Budget Request when it comes out in the next month or so, and if programs you care about are underfunded, talk to your representatives again.
• Advocate—join a professional organization and add your voice to theirs.
• Raise awareness of the effects that funding cuts will have on your institution and your community.
• Collaborate with laboratories in your line of research to potentially share resources.
• Look for grant funding from nonprofit organizations dedicated to scientific and medical research.

There are challenges ahead, but there are also opportunities for greater efficiency and innovation. Look for those.

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What challenges will funding cuts bring to your lab? Our readers might be able to help.