On September 16–17, Renee Androckitis, Senior Manager of State and Federal Advocacy at the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia (the Chamber), traveled to Washington, D.C. to represent the voice of our regional business community in critical national conversations about federal investments in research. This visit was part of the Chamber's ongoing commitment to fostering a competitive business climate at the local, state, and federal levels—supporting our vision to position Greater Philadelphia as a top global destination for business and a leader in inclusive growth.
As part of this activation, Renee joined the Business for Federal Research Funding (BFRF) Coalition fly-in. Together, BFRF members visited over 30 congressional offices to emphasize the importance of research investments in driving regional economic stability, national leadership, and global innovation.
The BFRF Coalition is a nonpartisan alliance of business organizations comprised of 70 chambers from 35 states across the political spectrum united in the belief that federal research funding is essential to our nation's competitiveness. These investments fuel breakthroughs in technology, propel life-saving medical treatments, and spur job creation.
In partnership with the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, Renee met with eight members of our cross-state congressional delegation. We shared compelling data and real-world stories to illustrate how federal research funding powers innovation, supports workforce development, and drives growth in every corner of the Commonwealth. This collaboration reflects our broader efforts to uplift the priorities of Pennsylvania's business community.
The current state of federal research funding remains uncertain. While appropriations bills in both the House and Senate aim to soften the most severe proposed cuts—particularly to major agencies like National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF)—many decisions are still pending in the full scope of government funding. The resulting uncertainty has already disrupted international investment in the U.S. economy, suspended medical treatments, and threatened innovation over the long-term.
We continue to work with regional and national partners to ensure our advocacy reflects the priorities of the business community. If your organization receives federal research funding, we invite you to share how changes in funding have impacted your operations, workforce, and partnerships. Your insights help us build compelling messages for lawmakers and demonstrate the real-world consequences of funding decisions. Email Renee Androckitis to learn more.
Together, we can ensure that Greater Philadelphia continues to lead in our national advancement of science, medicine, and innovation.
