The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia is proud to advocate for NIH funding.  

What You Can Do 

  • Tell your story on social media, tagging @Chamberphl on LinkedIn, Instagram, X, and Facebook using #NIHDrivesPHL and #SupportNIH. 
  • Leverage key messages to guide conversations with elected officials who can help carry this message to the Trump Administration.
  • Share the Chamber's input form with your professional and supplier networks to help us convey the expansive impact that this cap will have on industries beyond the life sciences.  
  • Share stories, insights, and data with our team about how your organization will be impacted by the NIH 15% reimbursement cap to help us develop effective, data-driven messaging. Documents and data can be shared directly with randrockitis@chamberphl.com. 

Key Messages

  • The recent implementation of a cap on Facility & Administrative (or "F&A") costs for all new and existing National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants could  have significant implications for our region.
  • Pennsylvania-based institutions and organizations received $2.2 billion in NIH awards funding during FY2024 that directly supported 21,740 jobs and $5.31 billion in economic activity.    
  • The economic impact of this type of job loss will be severe and wide-reaching. In addition to losing sector-specific roles, we will see fewer jobs in manufacturing, waste management, compliance, data security, biosafety, IT, accounting, auditing, building trades, and more.  
  • NIH funding benefits communities across the entire Commonwealth and the country. NIH-supported initiatives and discoveries provide cost-effective solutions to solve rural-urban health inequities, research and implement telehealth services, and deploy family health programs that provide interdisciplinary treatment in rural populations.    
  • NIH is held to a strict standard. The cutting-edge research breakthroughs from NIH-funded institutions are only possible if the government fairly reimburses the costs of conducting the research projects from which the American people deeply benefit.    
  • According to the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), the rate of cost burden for institutions compared to the federal government has been steadily rising for decades: institution funds supporting research have increased 11 percentage points since 1980, while the federal government's share of research support during the same period has decreased 12 percentage points.    
  • Endowments are – and must be treated as – a separate issue. Endowment funds, while an important resource for many colleges and universities, are designed to be long-term funds that support institutional needs, not short-term funds that support individual research projects. By treating endowments and research support funds as the same, we threaten rates of enrollment. Advanced degree holders will become fewer and farther between, leaving organizations unsupported by highly-skilled talent to conduct research, development, and commercialization.    

How We Are Taking Action

Business for Federal Research Funding (BFRF) Coalition 

The Chamber is partnering to lead the Business for Federal Research Funding (BFRF) Coalition, a growing, nonpartisan alliance of over 50 chambers of commerce and business organizations across 28 states united by a shared belief: that strong federal investment in research and development (R&D) is essential to our nation's economic strength, global competitiveness, and public well-being. 

We are proud to stand with the BFRF Coalition and our fellow chambers across the country in advocating for smart, sustained investment in research. Together, we can ensure that Greater Philadelphia—and the United States—remains a global leader in science, medicine, and innovation. 

Leading Regional Research and Outreach

The Chamber has launched a robust campaign to rally support, and safeguard, the future of biomedical innovation. This effort begins with extensive education and awareness initiatives aimed at informing Chamber members about the critical role NIH research plays in driving economic growth, public health advancements, and regional competitiveness using a report we commissioned from Econsult Solutions, Inc. By modeling and assessing the potential economic consequences of these funding limitations, the Chamber is equipping stakeholders with data-driven insights that underscore the urgency of sustained investment in research. 

In addition, the Chamber released a statement to Greater Philadelphia's congressional delegation detailing the impacts in each of their districts.

To support these efforts, the Chamber provides tailored advocacy tools, empowering leaders to make compelling, informed cases for lifting the cap and preserving America's leadership in scientific discovery. 

Research Dollars at Work

Nationwide Effects 

Investments in research lead to major breakthroughs in innovation, new technologies, life-saving medical treatments, and millions of jobs. By continuing to invest in research and development funding, our country will continue to lead the world in science, job creation, medicine, and innovation.  

  • In 2024, National Institute of Health (NIH) spent extramurally in all 50 states and D.C., supporting 407,782 jobs across the country.  
  • The Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, along with NIH, are the largest supporters of basic research in the United States. 
  • Over 30 federal agencies supported R&D in FY21. 
  • In 2024 alone, NIH grants supported more than 407,000 jobs nationwide and generated $94.5 billion in economic activity—more than double the $36.9 billion distributed in grants.
  • Every dollar invested in NIH research yields $2.56 in new economic activity, underscoring the powerful return on investment that federal research funding delivers. 

Impact on Greater Philadelphia's Economic Strength  

In Greater Philadelphia, the impact of NIH funding is deeply felt. Our region is home to world-class universities, hospitals, and research institutions that rely on this support to drive breakthroughs in medicine, train the next generation of scientists, and fuel our local economy. In 2023, these anchor institutions supported nearly 496,000 jobs, contributed over $51 billion to regional GDP, and generated $24 billion in employment income. These numbers represent livelihoods, innovation, and the future of our region. 

However, this progress is now at risk. 

According to analysis by Econsult Solutions, Inc., the NIH funding cap could result in $339 million in lost economic impact, nearly 2,000 fewer full-time jobs, and $176 million in lost earnings in our region alone. Statewide, Pennsylvania institutions received $2.2 billion in NIH funding in FY2024, supporting over 21,000 jobs and $5.3 billion in economic activity. Neighboring states like New Jersey and Delaware also stand to lose significantly, with a combined $1.5 billion in supported economic activity at risk. 

This is not just a research issue—it's an economic issue. It's a workforce issue. It's a competitiveness issue. 

Take action now. Let's invest in our future. Let's invest in research. 

Email Renee Androckitis, Manager, Regional Advocacy, at randrockitis@chamberphl.com to learn more.