BCRF homes in on early-career scientists facing funding cuts
As the national environment for biomedical research funding, including cancer, continues to evolve, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) is strengthening its commitment to ensuring continued progress in the effort to eradicate breast cancer. Millions of dollars in federal cancer research grants are being decreased, paused, or eliminated altogether. Right now, there are a multitude of proposals to reduce federal cancer research funding including a significant cut to the National Cancer Institute’s budget by 37 percent. Researchers are also facing hiring freezes and staff cuts, which will impact young and early-career researchers the hardest.
This week, the Foundation announced efforts to make sure that essential research projects can stay on track and that its cohort of 200 U.S.-based scientists have the stability they need, while preserving a pipeline of young investigators to ensure a future for research. This includes new funding to help 17 early-career investigators facing delays or disruptions in their breast cancer research; the Foundation will also provide urgent funding for projects impacted by new federal guidelines.
“Individuals and families affected by breast cancer are relying on us,” said BCRF President and CEO, Donna McKay. “It is estimated that for every week research is delayed, it will take three to four weeks to recover. For those whose lives are at risk, every single day matters.”
BCRF surveyed its domestic researchers to better understand how current and potential funding cuts are affecting their work, their institutions, and the state of breast cancer research.
The feedback has been stunning; many of the greatest scientists in the country who are singularly focused on breast cancer are now at an impasse.
On a short-term basis, funding cuts are causing chaos and disruption. At many institutions day-to-day operations are in upheaval, with uncertainty around the ability to staff and provide adequate supplies for current and future research. Vital breast cancer research has been paused—research that could very well provide the next best treatment for patients with aggressive breast cancer.
On a long-term basis, the repercussions may be devastating. BCRF is particularly concerned about losing young investigators facing funding loss and hiring freezes. One scientist shared: “The impact on morale among researchers has been devastating, particularly on young scientists who are questioning whether a career in science is worth the uncertainty.” These young scientists have abundant ideas but limited funding. They are drivers of innovation and a strategic investment in the future of cancer care.
By all accounts, breast cancer research is at great risk.
Funding for breast cancer research: BCRF’s role in securing continuity
The Foundation’s top priority right now is to ensure stability and continuity for BCRF researchers and their work. BCRF is introducing a series of efforts aimed at reinforcing support for the broader research community:
- Support for 17 early-career investigators facing delays or disruptions in their breast cancer research with an additional $3 million in grant funding.
- Emergency funding for projects impacted by new federal guidelines. One such example is the Wisdom Trial, an important study aimed at improving risk-based screening recommendations. The trial lost significant funding for efforts directed at recruiting diverse populations, which is a critical step in ensuring efficacy for all patients.
- Accelerate scientific breakthroughs by growing the volume and pace of essential research to generate more advances in prevention, novel treatments, and a cure. In the year ahead, BCRF is adding nine new research projects to its annual research grants program. These new grants support innovative work in priority areas including breast cancer in young women, novel and emerging immunotherapies, artificial intelligence applications, and diagnostics for early detection and recurrence.
“Our mission has always been to prevent and cure breast cancer by funding the most impactful research,” said BCRF Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Dorraya El-Ashry. “In today’s changing landscape, we’re doing everything we can to support the scientists behind that mission and ensure momentum is not lost.”
Key areas of breast cancer research by early-career investigators
The early-career investigators are studying critical areas of research including:
- Leveraging AI in risk prediction in breast cancer
- Harnessing a patient’s immune system to attack metastatic breast cancer cells
- Investigating and improving the effectiveness of community health workers that administer breast cancer care
- Developing drugs that slow cancer cell growth
- Determining factors in the tumor microenvironment of Hispanic patients that are involved in immunosuppression that decreases treatment efficacy
Keeping the momentum: BCRF’s commitment to improving breast cancer care and prevention
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation remains a stalwart source of support, ensuring the continued advancement of critical research, even in the face of a shifting funding landscape. BCRF is driving progress toward a future where breast cancer is no longer a threat by supporting early-career scientists, providing emergency grants, and reinforcing critical projects.
To learn more about BCRF’s research programs and grantmaking priorities, visit bcrf.org.
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About the Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Breast cancer is a complex disease with no simple solution. Research is the key to stopping it in its tracks. Founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder, BCRF is the largest private funder of breast cancer research in the world. By investing in the best minds in science to examine every aspect of the disease from prevention to metastasis—and fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration—BCRF is accelerating the entire field and moves us closer to the answers we urgently need to be the end of breast cancer. Learn more and get involved at BCRF.org.
