Through the Council of State Bioscience Associations, Executive Director Rob Owen signed comments urging federal officials to preserve stable funding that supports research, workforce development, and U.S. biotechnology leadership.
Bio Nebraska Executive Director Rob Owen joined fellow members of the Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) Board of Directors in urging the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to reconsider a proposed rule that could significantly disrupt federal funding for biotechnology research and innovation. In comments submitted to OMB, the coalition expressed concern that the proposal would create uncertainty throughout the research ecosystem, discourage investment in high-risk scientific innovation, and ultimately slow the development of new medical therapies, agricultural technologies, and bioindustrial products.
As a member of the CSBA Board, Owen supports policies that strengthen America’s biotechnology leadership and ensure researchers, entrepreneurs, and companies have the stable federal partnerships they need to innovate. The letter highlights the critical role that agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and others play in advancing scientific discovery, building the biotechnology workforce, and bringing life-changing innovations to market. The coalition urged OMB to withdraw or revise the proposed rule to preserve a strong, predictable funding environment that allows the U.S. biotechnology industry to remain globally competitive while continuing to improve health, agriculture, energy, and economic opportunity.