The National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (NAEVR) is alarmed by the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) recent staffing cuts at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This decision jeopardizes the stability and continuity of crucial biomedical research across all institutes, including the National Eye Institute (NEI).
Reduction in Force (RIF) represents more than just abstract budgetary decisions; it will have tangible and immediate effects on the federal workforce that drives scientific advancement and supports research funding. NEI’s ability to execute its mission depends not only on extramural grants, but also on the expertise, continuity, and leadership of its intramural scientists, grant managers, program officers, as well as support personnel. Each of these individuals plays a vital role in advancing research that prevents vision loss, restores sight, and supports the quality of life for millions of Americans.
The NEI leads the field in countless emerging areas of science—including gene therapy, regenerative medicine, artificial intelligence and diagnostics, and more. Disrupting its operations through staffing reductions will significantly delay advancements in treatments for leading causes of blindness such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy—diseases that disproportionately affect our nation’s aging and vulnerable populations.
We stand with Coalition for Health Funding (CHF) in emphasizing that these staffing cuts reflect a troubling trend of disinvestment in the people and infrastructure essential to our public health and scientific enterprise. The strength of NIH lies in its workforce—those who ensure that taxpayer dollars are invested wisely, research is conducted ethically and efficiently, and discoveries are translated into effective treatments for patients.
We recognize the value of improving efficiency and understand the appeal of centralizing certain functions. However, we are deeply concerned that the extent of recent cuts will lead to a significant loss of institutional knowledge, hinder the ability to support and communicate the impact of federally funded research, and leave the centralized structure ill-equipped to meet the diverse needs of each NIH Institute. We urge Congress and the Administration to protect biomedical research by ensuring the NIH workforce is adequately resourced to carry out its mission. Sustaining our national investment in biomedical research means investing in the people who make it possible. For vision research and the NEI’s initiatives, the stakes are simply too high to allow these losses without raising concern about their impact and urging appropriate action to maintain our commitment to biomedical research.
NAEVR remains committed to advocating for robust federal support for eye and vision research—and for the dedicated professionals who make that work possible.
