Vermont Business Magazine United for Medical Research has updated its annual analysis of the economic impact of research funding from the National Institutes of Health. The $52.4 million in NIH funding awarded to researchers in Vermont in FY2025 supported 495 jobs and generated $120.5 million in new economic activity. See list below.
United for Medical Research (UMR) today released the 2026 update of its annual analysis of the economic impact of National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding. The $36.58 billion awarded to researchers in the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia in FY2025 supported 390,863 jobs and generated $94.15 billion in new economic activity nationwide – producing $2.57 for every $1 invested.
“Even amid funding disruptions last year, NIH research continued to deliver extraordinary value for patients and communities across the country,” said Caitlin Leach, President of United for Medical Research. “The return on investment is undeniable – but maintaining that return requires strong and stable NIH funding.”
Every state benefits from NIH research funding. Awards support researchers, lab technicians and support staff, as well as the purchase of equipment, materials and services. The income generated from those jobs and purchases circulates through local economies, driving new economic activity and strengthening communities.
Fewer Grants Awarded in FY2025
Although total funding remained strong, FY2025 saw significant shifts in how awards were distributed. To meet its September 30 deadline following earlier delays, NIH made expanded use of multi-year funding – obligating the full value of certain grants upfront rather than distributing funding annually.
While this allowed NIH to spend its budget, it led to significantly fewer total grants awarded in FY2025:
- 5,564 fewer grants were funded compared to FY2024
- Success rates fell to approximately 17%, the lowest level in nearly 30 years and down from 26% the prior year
- 19 states and the District of Columbia experienced at least a 10% decline in number of awards
A Decade of Economic Impact
Over the past decade, NIH research funding has driven more than $822 billion in new economic activity and supported more than 3.7 million jobs.
“At a time when global competitors are accelerating their investments in biomedical research, America cannot afford to fall behind,” said Leach. “NIH is the foundation of our nation’s biomedical innovation ecosystem – driving discovery, strengthening local economies and delivering new treatments and cures to patients who are counting on progress.”WASHINGTON, DC – March 10, 2026 – United for Medical Research
| NIH Grant Recipient | Total Number of Grants |
Total Amount of NIH Funding |
City | State |
| UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT & ST AGRIC COLLEGE | 89 | $47,995,892.00 | BURLINGTON | VT |
| MICROBRIGHTFIELD, LLC | 3 | $2,840,238.00 | WILLISTON | VT |
| MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE | 1 | $540,427.00 | MIDDLEBURY | VT |
| HEALTHY DESIGN, LTD. CO. | 1 | $506,399.00 | RUTLAND | VT |
| VETERANS EDUCATION/RES/ASSN/NORTH/NE | 1 | $332,897.00 | WHITE RIVER JUNCTION | VT |
| VERMONT STATE COLLEGES | 1 | $137,487.00 | RANDOLPH CENTER | VT |
| PROLOCOR INC. | 1 | $50,000.00 | SHELBURNE | VT |
| TOTAL | 97 | $52,403,340 |
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