BioCentury
ARTICLE | Editor's Commentary

Can U.S. science funding cuts spark collaboration? A Perspective

The proposed NIH cuts are forcing tough conversations—but they could also accelerate smarter, more collaborative approaches to translational science

June 13, 2025 9:21 PM UTC

The U.S. government’s proposed science funding cuts have left many academics and biotech start-ups reeling as they face an uncertain future with few clear ways to stay afloat. Yet amid the anxiety, there’s a glimmer of possibility: that this crisis could usher in greater alignment across the research and innovation ecosystem — from academic investigators and translational biotechs to VCs and pharmas.

The idea that disruption, however painful, can drive progress — “In the midst of every crisis, lies great opportunity,” as the often-quoted (but dubiously sourced) Einstein line goes — served as a touchstone for discussions at BioCentury’s 2nd Grand Rounds-U.S. R&D conference, held June 4–6 in Chicago. The event brought together stakeholders from across the biomedical landscape to debate bottlenecks in translation, explore cutting-edge science, and find ways to keep innovation moving in a resource-constrained environment...

Get Unlimited Access
Continue reading with a free trial.
Or Purchase This Article