New York's Medical Schools Urge Governor Hochul to Boost Funding for Biomedical Research Amid Uncertainty Over Federal Dollars
A coalition of New York medical schools and prominent research institutions is pushing Governor Kathy Hochul to commit billions of state dollars to a new biomedical research fund, citing the need to sustain existing research and jobs threatened by federal funding cuts under the Trump administration.
The proposed Empire Biomedical Research Institute would not only support ongoing research but also fuel New York's life sciences sector in the long term. According to supporters, including Jonathan Teyan, president and CEO of the Associated Medical Schools of New York, the new fund is essential for economic development and healthcare in New York state.
Federal funding for biomedical research has had a significant impact on the state, with over 30,000 jobs generated and $8 billion in economic activity last year. However, more than 1,000 research grants in New York have been impacted by federal funding cuts or freezes, leaving hundreds still affected.
The Associated Medical Schools of New York proposes starting the new state fund at $500 million and expanding it to $6 billion over the next decade. However, the proposal faces stiff competition for state funding going into the fiscal year 2027 budget session, with other high-priority initiatives on the table.
Ana Champeny, vice president for research at the Citizens Budget Commission, notes that lawmakers will need to determine priorities and allocate funds accordingly. "The legislators and the governor will need to figure out what are the priorities," she said.
Institutions such as Mount Sinai Health System, Columbia University, and the CUNY School of Medicine have made their case for prioritizing biomedical research in a letter to Governor Hochul, warning that without such a fund, they risk losing ground to other states and countries expanding their commitments to biomedical research.
New York state is already investing heavily in life sciences and innovation, including a $150 million investment in a cell and gene therapy innovation hub on Long Island. However, supporters argue that the state must also commit to supporting research at academic institutions to fuel the pipeline to commercial sector success.
The proposal comes as federal science funding remains in flux, with researchers saying research is still hobbled despite some reversals of cutbacks. The National Institutes of Health slowed spending significantly amid layoffs and policy changes this year, but has since ramped up spending after some terminations were reversed in court.
A coalition of New York medical schools and prominent research institutions is pushing Governor Kathy Hochul to commit billions of state dollars to a new biomedical research fund, citing the need to sustain existing research and jobs threatened by federal funding cuts under the Trump administration.
The proposed Empire Biomedical Research Institute would not only support ongoing research but also fuel New York's life sciences sector in the long term. According to supporters, including Jonathan Teyan, president and CEO of the Associated Medical Schools of New York, the new fund is essential for economic development and healthcare in New York state.
Federal funding for biomedical research has had a significant impact on the state, with over 30,000 jobs generated and $8 billion in economic activity last year. However, more than 1,000 research grants in New York have been impacted by federal funding cuts or freezes, leaving hundreds still affected.
The Associated Medical Schools of New York proposes starting the new state fund at $500 million and expanding it to $6 billion over the next decade. However, the proposal faces stiff competition for state funding going into the fiscal year 2027 budget session, with other high-priority initiatives on the table.
Ana Champeny, vice president for research at the Citizens Budget Commission, notes that lawmakers will need to determine priorities and allocate funds accordingly. "The legislators and the governor will need to figure out what are the priorities," she said.
Institutions such as Mount Sinai Health System, Columbia University, and the CUNY School of Medicine have made their case for prioritizing biomedical research in a letter to Governor Hochul, warning that without such a fund, they risk losing ground to other states and countries expanding their commitments to biomedical research.
New York state is already investing heavily in life sciences and innovation, including a $150 million investment in a cell and gene therapy innovation hub on Long Island. However, supporters argue that the state must also commit to supporting research at academic institutions to fuel the pipeline to commercial sector success.
The proposal comes as federal science funding remains in flux, with researchers saying research is still hobbled despite some reversals of cutbacks. The National Institutes of Health slowed spending significantly amid layoffs and policy changes this year, but has since ramped up spending after some terminations were reversed in court.
They're gonna need more than just $500m to keep NY's med schools afloat 
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. We need to make sure our research institutions are solid and that we're supporting the people doing the work 
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. Let's get some experts in here to crunch the numbers and figure out how to make it happen 
i think its cool how institutions like mount sinai and columbia are leading the charge 
but what about the impact on existing jobs in research thats a big concern 
. The uncertainty is killing them, you know? My aunt is a scientist at Columbia and she's been through this before, she said it's like being in limbo, never knowing if your research will get funded or not 
. It's not just about the jobs, it's about the future of medical research and innovation in NY state 
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. It's not just about the money; it's about the impact these research institutions have on our healthcare system and economy 
. NY state has already made some big investments in biotech and innovation, but I think this fund would be a crucial addition to those efforts 
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. We should be proud of our academic institutions and the work they do, and I think Governor Hochul should definitely consider prioritizing this fund 
. The fact that over 1,000 research grants are still affected is alarming 
. Are they going to prioritize biomedical research or other initiatives? The state needs to make a statement about its commitment to scientific research and development, but we need to do it in a way that's sustainable for the long term 
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! If they don't get that funding, it's gonna be a disaster for the entire state, job-wise. I mean, think about all those researchers and scientists who are already struggling with federal cuts... now they gotta rely on state support? It's like trying to hold water in our hands, you know? 
. It makes sense that they want to protect their research grants and jobs 
. With federal funding being so unpredictable, it's awesome that NY is stepping in to help out 
. I'd rather see them prioritize research over other initiatives for now, 'cause if we don't have cutting-edge meds, what's the point? 
I'm like totally worried about the biomedical research funding situation in NY! 
. I hope the governor and lawmakers do figure out their priorities and allocate funds accordingly... it's not rocket science 
I'm literally stressing out thinking about all the NY med schools & research institutions struggling with federal funding cuts 
Like, who's gonna take care of those researchers & students now? 
The governor's gotta make some tough decisions & I'm not sure what to expect from this new fund 
It's like, let's take some time to weigh our options and figure out what really matters here. And honestly, I'm still worried that the National Institutes of Health might cut funding even further... 
First, we gotta acknowledge the impact of federal funding cuts, I mean, over 1,000 research grants affected? That's a huge deal! But now it's time to think about long-term sustainability. $500 million to start is a good place to begin, but let's be real, who are they gonna pass on this proposal? 
. However, $6 billion might be a bit steep, even if it's over 10 years 