Boston-area biz leaders urge Congress to save research funds
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Boston-area business leaders revived a multi-state coalition in hopes of saving federal research funding.
The big picture: The stakes are much higher this time around for the Business for Federal Research Funding coalition as the Trump administration downsizes the federal government and punishes institutions that don't follow its agenda.
- The coalition first formed in 2014 and went on hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Between the lines: Business leaders are urging lawmakers to consider the economic consequences of research cuts, says Chris Eicher, vice president of government relations for the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.
- Massachusetts and other states are already losing talent to institutions overseas, hurting states' competitiveness against major rivals like China.
- Further research cuts could cost states their edge in medical, defense and technological research, Eicher added.
State of play: Eicher and business leaders across 35 states met with congressional representatives on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.
- The bipartisan coalition asked lawmakers to maintain current levels of federal research funding in the next spending bill and to release frozen funds that had already been approved.
By the numbers: Business leaders representing Massachusetts have pointed to a recent UMass Amherst Donahue Institute study that shows research funding supports 81,300 jobs and more than $16 billion in economic activity.
What they're saying: "We've led the world in research funding of all types in innovation and patents for a very long time, and this is not the time to retreat from that," says Jim Rooney, president and CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.
Zoom in: Several Boston-area institutions have laid off workers or paused projects in light of federal funding cuts.
- Massachusetts' life sciences industry alone has lost nearly $500 million in federal funding in 2025, and its lead on China has shrunk compared to previous years.
- The Broad Institute laid off 75 workers and cut expenses in July in anticipation of federal funding cuts for scientific research, the Harvard Crimson reported.
Friction point: While the coalition makes the business case for preserving funds, attorneys representing researchers and universities are fighting the federal funding cuts in the courts, alleging they violate federal and constitutional law.
- But even legal victories aren't resulting in restored funds.
- When a federal judge ruled earlier this month that the Trump administration's decision to freeze nearly $3 billion in funding to Harvard University was illegal, the White House vowed to appeal.
What we're watching: It's uncertain whether a congressional appropriations bill with level research funding can survive President Trump's veto pen this fall.
- House Republicans proposed a continuing resolution this week to fund the government, including federal research, until Nov. 21.