A group exits the Durham Research Center at the UNMC campus. (Courtesy of University of Nebraska Medical Center)
OMAHA — The Greater Omaha Chamber has joined forces with more than 50 business organizations and chambers of commerce nationally to advocate for the rescue of research funding in the federal budget.
The local chamber announced, in a media release, its participation in the relaunch of the Business for Federal Research Funding Coalition. Nearly 30 states are represented so far.
“Federal research funding is one of the best investments we can make in America’s future,” said Heath Mello, president and CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber. “It drives groundbreaking innovation, fuels job creation, strengthens our national competitiveness and directly impacts the Omaha region.”
Heath Mello, CEO and president of the Greater Omaha Chamber. (Courtesy of Greater Omaha Chamber)
Formed in 2017, the national coalition went dormant during the Biden Administration, a chamber official said, because funding levels for federal research were sufficient.
Now the nonpartisan coalition of business organizations “from red, blue and purple states” will once again engage members of Congress and the Trump Administration to reinforce the stance that research funding “strengthens our nation’s economy and competitiveness.”
The Omaha-area chamber represents nearly 3,000 member businesses. Representatives said the University of Nebraska system last year received more than $113 million, and Omaha-based Creighton University received nearly $8.3 million in National Institute of Health grants.
Investments in research have led to major breakthroughs in innovation, new technologies, life-saving medical treatments and millions of jobs, the chamber release said.
The BFRF said that nationally, $36.9 billion in NIF grants awarded to researchers in 2024 supported 407,782 jobs and generated $94.5 in economic activity.
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