We, the undersigned members of the research community, write to register our strong support for the urgent passage of the DRIVE Act proposed by Governor Healey. This proposal would address an ongoing need for a stable source of funding to address the gap created by national-level cuts. The Act would advance scientific discovery, protect life-saving research, and promote economic resilience by disbursing state-level funding to institutions of public research and higher education across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
During the Trump administration, federal funding for science has faced relentless attacks and instability. These attacks have forced talented and dedicated researchers across the state to leave the Commonwealth or the U.S. entirely in search of stable employment and funding. Labs are being forced to downsize and close continuously at universities across the state and projects are being abandoned after years of investment. The impact of these attacks are being felt throughout higher education and the broader research community. It is clear that for innovative research to continue to thrive in Massachusetts, we cannot depend on the federal administration’s capricious funding decisions.
Massachusetts is a leading hub for scientific innovation with over 350,000 residents employed in STEM fields at institutions and industries across the state performing ground-breaking science, developing new treatments for cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and countless other disorders; creating breakthroughs in renewable energy; and training the next generation of scientists. It was this remarkable research environment that produced one of the first COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic, saving millions of lives across the world. Under the new research priorities set by the Trump administration, these kinds of life-saving innovations are no longer even being considered for funding.
The research enterprise across Massachusetts not only produces life-changing innovations but also undergirds the state’s economy and tax base. For every dollar invested in Massachusetts research, the state receives an economic benefit of double that amount. The DRIVE Act will lead to job creation at universities, continued advancements spanning academia and industry, as well as the recruitment, retention and development of early-career scientists. Without this added investment, Massachusetts risks losing its status as the preeminent leader in scientific research, and falling behind California, Texas, and New York–all of which have taken active steps to provide state-level support for this important work.
It is imperative that funding from the DRIVE Act reaches our scientific institutions urgently to halt the erosion of our vital research infrastructure. This proposal provides an opportunity not only to affirm Massachusetts’ leadership in scientific research but also to pioneer new approaches to funding mechanisms that spur more innovations to improve the lives of the people of Massachusetts and around the world. Therefore, we strongly endorse the DRIVE Act and urge its prompt passing.
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