New York's Science Future: Invest or Fall Behind

New York has long been a big deal in the world of science. It's the second biggest recipient of National Institutes of Health money. Plus, it has more top-notch academic institutions doing research than any other state. The state trains a lot of doctors and biomedical researchers. But this leadership isn't guaranteed. Federal funding, which has supported science for 80 years, is now uncertain. This has hit New York hard. Many academic institutions and research institutes have faced delays in funding. This has made jobs less secure for researchers, lab technicians, and administrative staff. Graduate programs have shrunk, with some PhD programs in biomedical science reduced by 50% or more in the past year. Many students and postdoctoral scholars have had job offers taken away. The effects go beyond the labs. Universities, research institutes, and life science companies are often big employers. They support local businesses, schools, and pay taxes. But now, other states and countries are recruiting the best minds in science. California, Massachusetts, and Texas have already set up multi-billion-dollar research programs.Public funding for research is a proven economic driver. Every dollar invested in research results in $2. 50 in additional economic return. New York's NYFIRST program has resulted in a 10:1 return on investment. Successful life science companies often grow out of publicly funded research. For example, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals was founded by scientists at Weill Cornell Medicine and Columbia University. BlueRock Therapeutics grew from research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. New York has a chance to act now. The Empire Biomedical Research Institute (EBRI) is a bold initiative. With an initial $500 million investment and a long-term vision of $6 billion over 10 years, EBRI could stabilize research programs. It could also launch new studies and support job-creating infrastructure. EBRI would complement federal funding and existing state initiatives. It would also expand training for graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and early-career scientists. Plus, it would provide all New Yorkers access to the latest treatments and cures. A coalition of over 35 institutions is calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to invest in EBRI. This includes medical schools, unions, cancer centers, business organizations, and health systems. They want to make New York a global destination for science, scientists, and top-notch patient care.