Statement to the SID Membership on Threats to Scientific Research
February 20, 2025
The scientific research community faces serious challenges that require our collective action. Ongoing efforts to reduce research funding and infrastructure through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pose an urgent and significant threat to the US research enterprise and the health of Americans nationwide.
What is at risk
Affecting the NIH budget and critical staff and leadership across NIH and FDA, these cuts severely undermine research that will benefit the health of the American people. The United States has been a world leader in performing cutting-edge research, translating research into novel therapies, and training future generations of researchers. We have achieved this stature by training a highly skilled workforce in the rigors of medical and scientific research and imposing high standards to ensure the safety of individuals participating in clinical trial research.
We are on the brink of identifying new treatments and cures for cancer and autoimmunity, correcting inherited diseases with gene editing and therapy, learning how to modulate the microbiome to improve human health, and identifying new means of treating and preventing infectious diseases and other emerging health threats. Progress towards understanding the basic biology of organ systems such as the skin will benefit treatments in aging, inflammation, wound healing, and other diseases. Skin scientists are leaders in all of these fields.
Federal support of a robust US research enterprise not only improves the health of the US population but also fuels the economy and creates jobs. It will take years to decades to repair the damage if we do not continue to support the highly skilled workforce required to make these medical and scientific breakthroughs possible.
Act now: Contact your elected officials
Now is the time to contact your elected officials to prioritize the funding of NIH, FDA, and the vital extramural research programs that support scientific research. Whether you lead a laboratory or are just beginning your career in skin research, your perspective as both a scientist and as a US citizen matters for influencing science policy and funding, particularly in your local jurisdiction.
Reach out to your representatives and senators to express your concerns about these budget cuts and to emphasize the significant consequences for both patients and the future of science.
Share this information with colleagues, non-scientists, patient advocates, and others who benefit from healthcare research and encourage them to lend their voice to this issue.
Whether you call, send emails, visit your local representative or attend a town hall, your voice and perspective matter.
Sharing your message
Take care to follow guidance from your institution—many ask that you use your personal email address and say that you are calling as a citizen/voter and not as a representative of your institution.
When contacting your elected officials, please consider highlighting the following points and personalizing them to your experience:
The direct impact on patients
Reduced funding for research at NIH and extramural institutions will hinder progress in developing new treatments and diagnostics. Reduced staff at FDA directly risks the health of the American public in regard to monitoring the safety of food and drugs in the United States.
The impact on Research
The United States will lose its position as the premier country for discovery and innovation, which will be overtaken by the pace of discovery in Europe, Asia, and other regions. Funding cuts will discourage future generations from pursuing research careers, dissolving our highly skilled workforce.
The impact on local economies
Health systems and research institutions fuel local economies – they create jobs, spur local investment and growth, and improve the health of the people in the region. For more information on how many jobs and dollars are at risk in your region, click here.
We stand together for science.
Your voice matters, and together, we can make a difference. Let’s work together to protect the future of research and ensure that the next generation of scientists and patients continue to benefit from the advances we’ve worked so hard to achieve.
As these issues evolve, our board and staff will continue to share updates, additional resources and calls to action through this online advocacy toolkit. We stand with our members, and alongside all scientists who dedicate their careers to advancing scientific understanding and improving lives.
Tools and Resources
The Society for Investigative Dermatology joins science and medical professionals across the United States and across fields to share critical updates and develop resources to equip members to effectively advocate for science research. Explore the links below to stay informed and contribute your voice to this urgent call.
The American Society for Cell Biology published a list of NIH funding, employment and economic impact data by state (FY23) as a resource for advocacy to Congress. Click the button above to access the list, and explore the ASCB’s Advocacy Toolkit here.
The Federation of American Societies of Experimental Biology’s Legislative Action Center provides background on the NIH indirect cost cap and a tool for emailing your elected officials by address. (You can edit the body of the email to customize your message before sending.)