Dartmouth researchers face disruptions from federal funding cuts

Researchers at Dartmouth Health are concerned about the negative effects of federal funding cuts on their cancer research programs. They spoke with U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan about how these cuts are disrupting their work. The scientists and doctors rely on grants from the National Institutes of Health. Without this funding, they fear they will struggle to discover new treatments and improve healthcare for people in New Hampshire. In addition to funding cuts, the researchers are facing language restrictions on how they present their work. These restrictions affect their ability to discuss important topics such as race, gender, and sexual orientation. This is due to executive orders from the Trump administration related to diversity and inclusion initiatives. Dr. Steven Bernstein, a lead researcher at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, highlighted the potential job losses. He noted that hundreds of employees depend on federal grants for part of their salaries. This situation has significant local economic implications as well. Dartmouth’s cancer center is one of only three National Cancer Institute designated comprehensive cancer centers in New England, making this funding issue critical for both research and the community.