By Mac Deford
Scientific progress doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It relies on a sustained investment in research, innovation, and the institutions that drive medical breakthroughs. For decades, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has been a cornerstone of this investment, funding life-saving research that has transformed public health and economic growth.
Yet, the Trump administration’s deep cuts to NIH funding threaten to unravel these advancements, and the repercussions are not just national — they hit home right here in South Carolina.
The NIH is the largest source of public funding for biomedical research in the United States. It fuels discoveries that lead to cancer treatments, vaccines, and cutting-edge medical technology. Beyond the lab, it supports thousands of jobs and strengthens university research programs. The Trump administration’s decision to slash NIH funding by capping indirect cost reimbursements and terminating more than 100 research grants represents a dangerous step backward.
These cuts will have an immediate chilling effect on America’s scientific progress. Leading universities and research institutions are already experiencing hiring freezes, project delays, and uncertainty over long-term funding. Prestigious institutions like Duke University have seen grant reductions disrupt major research initiatives. And while some argue that these cuts will promote more private investment, the reality is that private sector funding rarely supports the kind of foundational research the NIH enables.
The domino effect of these cuts extends far beyond the laboratory. When research dollars disappear, institutions that depend on them suffer financially. Universities rely on indirect cost reimbursements to maintain lab facilities, provide administrative support, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. Cutting these reimbursements forces institutions to divert resources from education and other critical services, creating a ripple effect that weakens the entire academic ecosystem.
For South Carolina, the impact is particularly alarming. The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), one of our state’s premier research institutions, receives millions in NIH funding each year to conduct groundbreaking medical research. These grants support critical work on cancer treatments, Alzheimer’s research, and solutions to South Carolina’s ongoing opioid crisis. The Trump administration’s cuts put these projects in jeopardy.
MUSC is not just a research institution; it is a driver of economic growth in the Lowcountry. NIH funding helps create jobs, attract top medical talent to Charleston, and fuel innovation that leads to new medical startups and technologies. With reduced federal investment, MUSC may face tough choices — delaying important research, losing talented researchers to better-funded institutions, or scaling back on initiatives that benefit South Carolinians.
The broader consequences are just as dire. South Carolina has long struggled with healthcare disparities, particularly in rural communities. NIH-funded research at MUSC helps address these disparities by developing treatments tailored to the needs of South Carolinians. If funding dries up, the consequences will be felt in hospitals, clinics, and households across the state.
This is not a partisan issue — it’s a matter of public health, economic stability, and leadership. South Carolina’s congressional delegation, regardless of political affiliation, must push back against these reckless cuts. Supporting NIH funding is not about government waste; it’s about ensuring that the United States, and South Carolina in particular, remains at the forefront of medical innovation.
At a time when we should be investing more in research, slashing NIH funding is a catastrophic misstep. South Carolina’s future—its health, economy, and standing as a research leader — depends on resisting these cuts before the domino effect causes irreversible damage.
Mac Deford is a Charleston attorney, veteran, graduate of The Citadel, and holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. He was a Democratic candidate for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District in 2024.
