Life Science Washington traveled to Washington, DC this week as part of a multi-state fly-in that we co-organized to press Congress on two urgent priorities: fully funding the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and reauthorizing the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
At our Capitol Hill briefing, Safeguarding Innovation: NIH & SBIR in the Life Sciences, which LSW organized with partner state life science associations, we highlighted how NIH funding powers university research and public-private partnerships, while SBIR/STTR ensures early-stage companies have the capital to take high-risk, high-reward science forward. These programs not only sustain American scientific leadership, they also underpin jobs, investment, and U.S. competitiveness in the face of growing global competition.
This was not a one-off effort. Over the summer, LSW led advocacy by writing editorials, convening roundtables with stakeholders, and working closely with other state associations to deliver a unified message: NIH funding fuels lifesaving research and innovation across the country, and SBIR/STTR is the backbone of startup-driven biotech progress. Together, these programs sustain the pipeline that turns early scientific discoveries into new treatments, diagnostics, and devices for patients.
Our sustained advocacy helped deliver an important result—both House and Senate appropriators advanced FY26 bills that fund NIH at or above last year’s levels. This outcome sends a strong signal that Congress recognizes the need for stable, predictable support for biomedical research. But the work is not over: SBIR/STTR is still set to expire on September 30, and a lapse would deal a serious blow to small biotech companies developing the cures of tomorrow. Countries like China are investing heavily to overtake US leadership in biotechnology. Falling behind would jeopardize not only science, but also our economy, national security, and patients who depend on lifesaving treatments.
Senator Patty Murray provided a leading voice to secure a strong appropriation NIH in the Senate Appropriations Committee, and we will continue working to ensure full funding. Read more here: Senate panel rejects Trump cuts to NIH, other health agencies.
Life Science Washington is proud to have led this national effort on behalf of our members and Washington’s life science community. We will continue working with Congress to protect NIH, secure SBIR/STTR reauthorization, and ensure that America remains the world leader in biomedical innovation.
Have questions, comments, or concerns about these bills or any other pending legislation? Get in touch with LSW’s Public Affairs Manager, Curtis Knapp.