Adequate health research funding: a justifiable imperative

The position paper that follows was developed by an ad hoc committee comprised of representatives of national organizations interested in biomedical and behavioral research including the Association of American Medical Colleges, the Association of American Universities, the Delegation for Basic Biomedical Research, and the National Committee for Medical Research and Education. The development of this document represented a unique attempt to reach a consensus among the diverse segments of the research community on the level of funding necessary to preserve the integrity of the health research enterprise. This paper was subsequently endorsed by 58 major organizations with a commitment to maintaining a strong national research program. The AFCR Public Policy Committee endorsed this position paper on July 10, 1982. It is worthy of note that although recent trends in health research funding are cause for concern, this situation will worsen in the future because of the recent passage of the Small Business Innovation Development Act. This bill will require all federal agencies, including the NIH, to "set-aside" 1.25% of their R&D budgets for allocation to small businesses. The FY 1983 projections in this position paper do not include estimates of the impact of this recent legislation.