The proposed cuts to National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for research universities would be devastating for Duke University and the broader scientific community. Duke received $580 million from the NIH last year, making it one of the largest recipients nationwide. Slashing this funding imperils countless critical research projects, from developing new cancer treatments to studying brain disorders like PTSD and Parkinson's disease. The 15% cap on reimbursement for indirect costs like utilities and equipment maintenance makes much of Duke's research financially unsustainable. Leading scientists may be forced to lay off staff or even shutter labs entirely due to lack of funds. Promising initiatives are already being shelved or downsized, including plans for a new research building. The number of admitted Ph.D. students is being cut back, shrinking the pipeline of future medical researchers. Hampering groundbreaking work at premier institutions like Duke squanders decades of federal investment and irreplaceable expertise. Instead of dismantling America's world-class research capabilities, we should be expanding funding to unleash the full potential of scientific exploration to improve lives and maintain our nation's competitive edge. Preventing short-sighted cuts that undermine the battle against disease, the training of top minds, and countless other benefits of university research must be a top priority.
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