Changes In National Institute Of Health Funding Affects Arizona Institutions

By Andrew Bernier
Published: Tuesday, September 16, 2014 - 2:11pm
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Federal science and research funding cuts are having an impact here in Arizona. Institutions are seeing fewer federal dollars, leading to the possibility of increased competition among institutions.

 

Last year, the National Institute of Health (NIH) awarded more than $180 million to Arizona institutions for biomedical research.  

 

The University of Arizona was top in the state, just shy of $75 million. But that's 40 percent less from a decade ago. UofA’s Kimberly Espy said when NIH’s budget is declining, fewer dollars are available.

 

“I am very concerned about the flat, if not declining, budget that is available for our researchers to compete," Espy said. "We believe that the bulk of the difference in our NIH funding is due to the tight federal fiscal climate.”


Some Arizona institutions actually saw an increase in NIH funding. Arizona State University has been trending upward, and in 2013 was awarded more than $41 million. Banner Alzheimer’s Institute received a single grant of more than $33 million, doubling their 2012 amount.

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