Hurry, Current Competition Soon to Close!

In spite of the economic downturn, the Florida Biomedical Research Programs are poised to award nearly $11 million in grants effective July 1, 2009 for biomedical research projects that advance scientific discovery and technology based economic development in Florida. The current competition is moving forward as planned, and the application deadline is this Friday, February 13, at 5 P.M. EST. We strongly encourage you to apply!

Despite a reduction in the state appropriation for biomedical research for fiscal year (FY) 2008-09, we fully anticipate the availability of significant funding for the FY 2009-10 Bankhead-Coley Cancer Research Program and the James & Esther King Biomedical Research Program, and there are filed legislative bills that if passed could result in enhanced funding.

Effects of Current Fiscal Year Budget Reductions

Recently, Governor Crist signed into law a $3.75 million reduction to the FY 2008-09 state appropriations for biomedical research. Specifically, the Bankhead-Coley Cancer Research Program budget was reduced by $2.25 million and the James & Esther King Biomedical Research Program budget was reduced by $1.5 million. As a consequence, only grantees who received awards which began July 1, 2008 were impacted.

After cutting administrative expenses to the lowest possible level, the Biomedical Research Advisory Council met to carefully consider the difficult options for making necessary reductions to FY 2008-09 grantees. Their objectives were to affect the fewest number of grantees and their staff possible, preserve the most promising research, and consider the long-term best interests of biomedical research in Florida. Their deliberations led to recommendations that reduced all King and Bankhead-Coley grants awarded in FY 2008-09 by percentages ranging from 2% to 10%, depending on the program and type of grant, and the reduction of current obligations on four Bankhead-Coley New Investigator Research grants from three years to one. All affected grantees have been notified. The Program also amended the current Call for Applications so that those four grantees are automatically eligible for funding consideration for the FY 2009-10 awards.

2009 Legislative Session

Our legislators have the unenviable task of making hard choices in the face of declining revenues. Before and during the recent special legislative session, the program worked very hard through multiple channels to inform Florida legislators and the Governor’s office about the importance of these grants, not only in advancing biomedical research and Florida healthcare, but also in attracting significant follow-on funding, growth of the state’s technology-based economic engine, and support for many high-paying jobs. We are extremely grateful for any effort you also made to advocate for these two grant programs. Perhaps the movement of the Senate away from their initial plan for a $7.5 million reduction to one of $3.75 million is a consequence of our collective communication.

In only a few weeks, our Florida lawmakers will be developing the budget for FY 2009-10. To the extent that their decision-making can be influenced with more information about the value of these grants and the consequences of their loss, we will present our legislators and the Governor with collected facts and stories from our grantees. Your feedback will be most helpful, and we encourage you to reach out to any and all program supporters to help with this important education effort.

If you have any questions concerning this competition, please contact Mr. Jack Cannon for the King Program at or Ms. Kobi Beck for the Bankhead-Coley Program at . You may also reach them by phone at 816-347-9449.