ASH Launches $12M Initiative to Support Hematology Research Amid Federal Funding Cuts
The American Society of Hematology (ASH) has announced a significant $12 million funding initiative to support hematology research in response to recent federal budget cuts. This move comes as part of a broader effort by scientific organizations to mitigate the impact of reduced government funding on vital medical research.
ASH's MARRCH Program: A Multifaceted Approach
ASH's new Multifaceted Approach to Research and Regulatory Challenges to Hematology (MARRCH) program aims to address the sudden and substantial cuts to federal research grants, training opportunities, and federal programs implemented by the current administration. The program includes:
- A nearly $9 million increase in research awards
- Grants for early-career researchers
- Bridge grants for scientists whose NIH R01 grant proposals were rejected or not reviewed
Dr. Belinda Avalos, President of ASH, emphasized the organization's commitment: "While the bulk of our investment will go directly toward supporting researchers in the near term, we recognize that ASH alone can't replace NIH funding. That's why we've also invested in enhanced advocacy and communications efforts to educate lawmakers and the public about the dire need to reinstate NIH funding and reverse policies that prevent patients with blood diseases from accessing appropriate care."
Federal Funding Landscape and Global Response
The ASH initiative comes in the wake of President Trump's 2026 budget proposal, which recommends cutting the NIH's funding by approximately 40%, including a 37% reduction for the National Cancer Institute. This proposal has faced strong opposition from various medical and scientific organizations.
The impact of these cuts has been severe:
- NIH has ended 2,100 research grants worth around $9.5 billion
- Contracts worth $2.6 billion have been terminated
- Over 300 NIH staff members have issued a declaration calling for the restoration of lost funds and rehiring of laid-off employees
In response to the challenging research environment in the United States, international institutions are seizing the opportunity to attract talent:
- The Netherlands' education department and Belgium's Free University Brussels are working to recruit U.S. scientists
- Germany's BioMed X research institute has launched a matchmaking program to connect U.S. researchers facing threatened NIH grants with potential funders
As the scientific community grapples with these funding challenges, initiatives like ASH's MARRCH program represent crucial efforts to sustain critical research and retain talent in the field of hematology and beyond.
References
- American Society of Hematology launches $12M effort to support scientists who lose federal funding
With billions of dollars of federal research funding cut since President Donald Trump began his second term, organizations are starting to step up to fill the gaps and keep vital science going. The American Society of Hematology (ASH) is the latest to launch such an effort, pledging more than $12 million in new funds to support hematology research.
Explore Further
What strategies is ASH employing to ensure the $12 million initiative effectively supports hematology research impacted by federal funding cuts?
How does the MARRCH program plan to prioritize the allocation of bridge grants for scientists with rejected or unreviewed NIH R01 grant proposals?
What impact will the proposed cuts to the NIH's budget have on the long-term competitiveness of U.S.-based hematology research compared to international efforts?
How are international institutions, such as those in the Netherlands and Belgium, tailoring their recruitment strategies to attract U.S. scientists affected by NIH fund reductions?
What role does enhanced advocacy and communications play in ASH's efforts to restore NIH funding and address policy barriers impacting patient care in hematology?