The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded a significant grant of $21 million to bolster biomedical research at multiple academic institutions in Rhode Island. This substantial funding aims to foster medical advancements and cultivate the next generation of biomedical professionals in the state.
Senator Jack Reed, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee and a steadfast advocate of the Rhode Island IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (RI-INBRE), announced the renewal of this grant for another five years. He emphasized the importance of this funding in advancing medical research and developing new treatments for diseases such as diabetes and rare forms of cancer. “Renewing this grant for another five years is great news for Rhode Island and great news for our researchers and scientists, who are advancing medical breakthroughs and developing new treatment options that help prevent and treat diseases like diabetes and rare forms of cancers,” Reed stated. He highlighted that this federal investment would pave the way for innovative medical research projects and equip the state’s biomedical workforce with essential tools and training.
The grant will enhance Rhode Island’s capacity for innovation in biomedical research, as detailed in an announcement from Senator Reed’s office. The funds will be utilized to procure advanced equipment, expand workforce development training programs, and recruit upcoming biomedical researchers and scientists. Since its inception in 2001, the RI-INBRE program has received over $81 million in NIH grants, significantly boosting statewide research capabilities in areas such as cancer, neuroscience, and environmental health sciences.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) underscored Rhode Island’s leadership in biomedical research and innovation, noting that this federal funding would maintain the state’s prominence and prepare talented individuals for lucrative careers in the life sciences sector. “Rhode Island’s public and private institutions of higher education are on the leading edge of biomedical research and innovation,” Whitehouse remarked. “This federal funding will help keep the Ocean State at the forefront and help prepare the next generation of talent for well-paying jobs in the life sciences industry.”
Representative Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.) also praised the grant, stressing its significance in enhancing the quality of life for patients through advanced medical research and training. “We must invest in medical research and treatments that will enable Rhode Islanders to live fuller and healthier lives,” Magaziner said. “This federal funding will go toward training the next generation of biomedical scientists and developing treatments that will improve the quality of life for patients and potentially save lives.”
