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 critical medical research.

ASH's MARRCH Program

ASH's new Multifaceted Approach to Research and Regulatory Challenges to Hematology (MARRCH) program aims to address the sudden reduction in federal research grants and training opportunities. The program includes:

• A $9 million increase in research awards
• Support for early-career researchers
• Bridge grants for scientists rejected from the NIH's R01 grant program

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."

Federal Funding Landscape

The initiative comes in response to significant changes in federal research funding:

• President Trump's 2026 budget proposal recommends cutting the NIH's funding by approximately 40%
• The National Cancer Institute faces a potential 37% reduction
• Since January, the NIH has terminated 2,100 research grants worth around $9.5 billion and contracts worth $2.6 billion

These cuts have sparked opposition from various scientific and medical organizations, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Cancer Society.

Global Response to U.S. Research Challenges

The funding crisis in U.S. medical research has prompted international reactions:

• European institutions, such as the Netherlands' education department and Belgium's Free University Brussels, are working to attract talent from the U.S.
• In Germany, the BioMed X research institute has launched a matchmaking program to connect U.S. researchers with potential funders

As the scientific community grapples with these funding challenges, initiatives like ASH's MARRCH program represent a crucial effort to maintain the momentum of vital hematology research and support affected researchers.