Leaders from Wisconsin’s top universities, including University of Wisconsin System President Jay Rothman and UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, urged Congress to reverse federal research funding cuts at a press conference Wednesday at the UW-Madison’s Health Sciences Learning Center.
University leaders warned such reductions would have dire consequences for scientific advancement, economic growth and the fight against debilitating diseases. Rothman emphasized the importance of federally funded research and its impact on communities across the state and nation.
“For the last 80 years, the United States has built the most robust and consequential university research enterprise in the world,” Rothman said. “Here in Wisconsin, the research conducted at our universities advances knowledge, improves lives and bolsters economic prosperity.”
Rothman and other university officials presented a letter to Wisconsin’s congressional delegation, signed by business leaders and organizations across the state, urging lawmakers to oppose proposed funding cuts. He stressed that reducing support for research would have “real implications for families and communities counting on us to find solutions to our most pressing needs.”
A call to action for Wisconsin’s research institutions
Mnookin highlighted the university’s role in groundbreaking research efforts, pointing to a major National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant supporting Alzheimer’s disease research as a prime example of the life-changing work happening in Wisconsin.
Dr. Sterling Johnson, a clinical neuropsychologist and director of the NIH-funded Alzheimer’s study at UW-Madison, warned reductions in federal funding could set back vital progress in understanding and treating the disease.
“Alzheimer’s affects seven million people across the country, including 120,000 here in Wisconsin,” Johnson said. “By 2040, that number is expected to rise by 44%. We must continue this work to find new treatments and ultimately a cure.”
Dr. Karen Crick, a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Psychology, added NIH funding plays an indispensable role in supporting her research laboratory.
“NIH funds provide our undergraduate students with unparalleled opportunities for hands-on experiential learning, skill development and career advancement,” Crick said. “Many of my lab graduates have gone on to become physicians, veterinarians, scientists, mental health providers, occupational therapists and genetic counselors — most of whom stay in Wisconsin, benefiting our communities and economy.”
A personal perspective on Alzheimer’s research
The event also featured Sigrid Newton, a longtime participant in the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's prevention study. Led by Johnson and one of the world's longest running studies for at-risk individuals for Alzheimers, Newton expressed her hope her participation in the study would help researchers better understand the disease’s progression.
“I am in this study because I am at risk,” said Newton, whose family has a history of Alzheimer's. “But I am also a mother and a grandmother, and I want this to be the last generation that suffers from Alzheimer’s.”
The economic, scientific impact of research funding
UW-Madison leaders emphasized beyond its role in medical advancements, research funding drives economic growth.
Wisconsin receives roughly $654 million per year in NIH grants, which supports more than 7,700 jobs and $1.4 billion in economic activity, according to United for Medical Research, and Mnookin said the capping of indirect costs would have a “ripple effect” on the state’s economy.
“Taking a ‘meat cleaver’ to this funding is shortsighted and harmful,” Rothman said. “Wisconsin cannot afford to lose the benefits that research brings to our communities.”
Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council, spoke about the economic impact of NIH funding on the state, specifically.
“In 2023, NIH investment brought $654 million to Wisconsin, which translates to about $110 per person,” Still said. “That’s a small investment when you consider the benefits: funding that drives research, attracts biotech companies and venture capital, and creates jobs in construction, tech and manufacturing.”
Still pointed to the success of GE Healthcare, which has expanded the use of MRI technology thanks to research breakthroughs, and Third Wave Technologies, a company that benefited from NIH grants before being acquired for $580 million— ultimately contributing to the growth of Madison-based Exact Sciences.
Nicholas Paris, chair of BioForward Wisconsin, reinforced the importance of federal funding in maintaining the state’s leadership in bioscience innovation.
“Wisconsin’s biohealth industry is a national leader, driving innovation, economic growth, and improved health outcomes,” Paris said. “NIH funding is critical — not just for research, but for attracting top scientists, supporting biotech companies and ensuring the state remains at the forefront of life science advancements.”
Speakers emphasized that cutting NIH funding would not only hinder critical research but global competitiveness.
“Federal funding for basic and clinical research is critical for training the next generation of scientists and health professionals while developing new treatments for conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, heart disease, and more,” Crick said. “Without it, we risk falling behind at a time when other countries are aggressively investing in research and innovation.”
