Transparency needed around ID/HIV research funding

Reports that the Administration plans to transfer funds that Congress has allocated to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for biopreparedness and biodefense to the Department of Defense raise significant concerns, particularly as part of a pattern of disruptions in funding and staffing at NIAID. The American people deserve to know how their tax dollars are being spent. Moreover, the federal government must ensure that infectious diseases research funding is spent as intended by Congress and not diverted from the principal entity charged with leading biomedical research in infectious diseases: NIAID. As recognized by Congress, this research is critical to protect Americans from infectious diseases, strengthen our biodefense capabilities, and secure our preparedness for outbreaks and pandemics.

IDSA recognizes that DOD has a strong history of conducting essential infectious diseases research that protects military personnel. IDSA has long supported collaborations between NIAID and DOD, particularly those focused on biodefense, and continues to do so with the appropriate transparency and guardrails. Effective biodefense research requires expertise across medicine, science, public health, technology, the military, economics and other relevant fields.

We call on the Administration to release a detailed accounting of how transferred funds will be used, what NIAID grants or programs are projected to lose funding because of the transfer, and a plan to ensure that ID and HIV research priorities are fully funded, including programs aimed at detecting and managing emerging infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and clinical trial and research networks aimed at HIV/AIDS.

- Ronald G. Nahass, MD, MHCM, FIDSA - President, IDSA

About IDSA
The Infectious Diseases Society of America is a global community of 13,000 clinicians, scientists and public health experts working together to solve humanity's smallest and greatest challenges, from tiny microbes to global outbreaks. Rooted in science, committed to health equity and driven by curiosity, our compassionate and knowledgeable members safeguard the health of individuals, our communities and the world by advancing the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. Visit idsociety.org to learn more.