Navigating the Shifting Landscape of Research Funding in the United States
Description
With recent shifts in the federal funding landscape, many investigators are facing new challenges in supporting their research. An analysis of 2025 NIH data reveals a steep decline year-over-year in new grants awarded to AAPM members, raising serious concerns for the long-term vitality of our field. Beyond reduced funding, principal investigators are contending with unprecedented disruptions: delayed reviews, lower paylines, grant cancellations, caps on indirect costs, new restrictions on foreign collaborations, expanded training and disclosure requirements, changing priorities away from animal models and health disparity research, and new public access mandates. This symposium will examine how funding has evolved in 2025 and the implications for our community, drawing on quantitative grant data. We will also explore alternative pathways to support, such as industry partnerships and foundation grants. Panelists from academia, industry, and federal agencies will share perspectives and strategies to help researchers adapt, build resilience, and find success in this shifting landscape.