States Step Up to Save Science: What's Happening Across the U. S.

Science funding in the U. S. is in trouble. The federal government, under the Trump administration, has been cutting back on support for research. This has left scientists, universities, and medical centers scrambling for alternatives. Now, some states are stepping in to fill the gap. In New York, there's a proposal for a new institute called the Empire Biomedical Research Institute. This would be a state-funded version of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The idea is to provide a steady source of funding for biomedical research. The proposal asks for $500 million initially and $6 billion over the next ten years. If approved, this could help thousands of researchers and create jobs. California is also taking action. State senator Scott Wiener and assemblymember José Luis Solache Jr. have proposed a bill to create the California Foundation for Science and Health Research. This would be funded by $23 billion in bonds and could provide grants and loans for scientific research. The bill highlights California's significant contribution to scientific research and its economic benefits.Massachusetts is another state stepping up. Governor Maura Healey has proposed the DRIVE Initiative, which would provide $400 million for research and development. This funding would support projects at universities, hospitals, and other research institutions. The goal is to keep the state's scientific community thriving despite federal cuts. But what about the smaller states? It's not clear yet what they will do. Without broader federal support, science funding could vary greatly from state to state. This could lead to differences in how decisions are made and how research is conducted. One big question is how the funds will be allocated. Historically, federal grants have had a system for distributing funds fairly. It's important that any new state-funded initiatives have clear and transparent guidelines. This will help ensure that the funding goes to the right places and benefits the right people. The reality is that states can no longer rely on federal funding for science. If they want to continue reaping the benefits of research and development, they need to take matters into their own hands. This means providing the necessary funding and support for scientists and their teams.