Under Trump Budget, Basic Research Will Need New Sources of Funding
Excerpted from article written by Christian Braemer and published on WealthManagement.com on Mar 17, 2017
Scientific research and innovation is facing uncertain and troubling times. The uncertainty arises from change at the top of the federal government, but also from the longer-term realities of funding for basic research.
Consider the note sounded in November 2016 by 2,300 researchers across the U.S. who, under the auspices of the Union for Concerned Scientists, endorsed a statement to then President-elect Donald Trump underscoring what's at stake when it comes to government support for research:
"Without this investment, children will be more vulnerable to lead poisoning, more people will be exposed to unsafe drugs and medical devices, and we will be less prepared to limit the impacts of increasing extreme weather and rising seas."
Yet, in his first budget request to Congress released on March 16, the President proposed cutting the budgets of both the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Energy's Office of Science by nearly 20 percent, along with big cuts in research programs at the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The federal budget requires Congressional action but, for researchers, the apparent agenda is worrying.
Public sector support for critical research seems suddenly under siege. But the fact is that such support has been on the wane for years, and private funding isn't doing its part to fill the gap. It's way past time to remedy this and financial advisors can play a vital role.
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UC, Boulder researcher to investigate link between gut microbiome and arterial health
In the decade or so since the discovery of the human microbiome, our microbial partners have been associated with a variety of diseases and disorders, but artery dysfunction may be a new addition to the list.
A four year, $3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health is h
elping
Dr. Douglas Seals
of the University of Colorado, Boulder to investigate the possible connections between our gut microbiota and arterial health.
The study will involve a clinical trial and mouse model. Demonstrating the power of collaboration between institutions, Benefunder and UCSD researcher Dr. Rob Knight will be assisting in the third phase of the study.
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We are excited to welcome the following researchers to the Benefunder platform.
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Welcome to the Benefunder Impact Report,
a monthly newsletter created to inform and inspire. Our mission is to help create a new marketplace for planned giving, while fueling innovation.
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Benefunder marketplace available through ImpactAssets' innovative donor advised fund
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Benefunder, a philanthropic marketplace that provides a targeted approach for high impact giving through partnerships with donor advised funds (DAFs), announced that its platform is now available to wealth advisors and their clients through the ImpactAssets Giving Fund, a donor advised fund focused on socially responsible and impact-driven investment options.
Benefunder offers a highly efficient approach to giving for donors who want to focus their support on research and innovation that addresses causes about which they feel most passionate.
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Benefunder presents at family office event in Santa Monica
Benefunder was honored to share the stage with a renowned lineup of presenters at the
12th Annual Lido Consulting Family Office Investment Symposium. The symposium took place March 27-29 at the Loews Santa Monica. Speakers included Justin Rockefeller, of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, and NBA legend Bill Walton. Benefunder's presentation, 'The convergence of philanthropy & impact investing: how innovation is the key to creating a growing economy', addressed the potential of university-based research as an alternative investment and philanthropic option.
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UC San Diego researcher Lipomi receives gift in support of solar technology through Benefunder
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Darren Lipomi, associate professor of nanoengineering at the University of California, San Diego, received a gift from the B Quest Giving Fund to support his work in solar technology research. Lipomi and his team are working on lightweight, low-cost, flexible semiconducting materials with future applications in solar technologies and biomedical devices.
Of the gift, Lipomi said, 'We're thrilled to receive this support for our work. Given the highly competitive environment for federal funding, it's critical for the research community to identify and cultivate alternative sources of funding." Expanding on the need for new philanthropy in academic research, Lipomi added, "For researchers, Benefunder helps lift the burden of fundraising so that we can focus on what we're most passionate about -- the research."
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Rutgers researchers receives funding for opioid addiction research
Rutgers researcher Mark West and his collaborators have been awarded a grant from the Rutgers Brain Health Institute to study the
 connection between opioid addiction and avoidance behavior. The West lab uses animal models to study the neural mechanisms associated with drug addiction and binge eating.
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Clean energy startup founded by Benefunder researcher receives SBIR Phase I award
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Influit Energy, LLC, a company founded by Illinois Institute of Technology professor Carlo Segre, has been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant. Influit is developing nanoelectrofuel (NEF) batteries for use in electric vehicles.
Has your research reached an important milestone that isn't included in your Researcher Profile? Let us know - we will update your profile at no cost. Contact [email protected] with updates.
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