Twenty-five years ago, a significant turning point in my life occurred when I received the opportunity to pursue a Ph.D. at the University of California, Berkeley. This life-changing opportunity was made possible through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Fogarty AIDS International Training Program, which provided funding and support for my education. Without this support, I would never have been able to leave India for higher education in the United States.
Today, I am privileged to chair a department of global and public health at a leading Canadian university. The opportunities I received as a Fogarty trainee at Berkeley have allowed me to pay it forward by training the next generation of global health leaders.
The impact of Fogarty funding extends far beyond my own experience. Nearly 8,500 individuals from 132 countries have been trained through Fogarty programs since 1989, many of whom have gone on to become leaders in their respective countries. One such example is Soumya Swaminathan, a renowned HIV and TB researcher who credits her Fogarty training for sparking new ideas and collaborations that shaped her career. Similarly, Glenda Gray, the first female president of the South African Medical Research Council, attributes her Fogarty fellowship to catalyzing her career as a clinician scientist and making significant contributions to HIV research.
The benefits of Fogarty programs are not limited to international scholars. US scientists and institutions have also benefited from the program, with research conducted in Global South countries leading to improved treatments for health challenges that impact Americans. Despite its modest budget of only 0.2% of the total NIH budget, the Fogarty International Center has had a significant national and global impact, supporting high-impact research on diseases like AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
However, it is disheartening to see the defunding of US science agencies, including the NIH, and the potential elimination of the entire $95 million FIC budget in 2026. This shortsighted decision not only undermines the progress made in global health research but also risks driving talented scientists away from the United States. In a time when global cooperation and coordination are essential to address crises like pandemics and climate change, isolationist policies can only go so far.
As someone who has witnessed the interconnected nature of the world during the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe that investing in global health and scientific research is crucial for the well-being of all nations. Institutions like the Fogarty International Center play a vital role in advancing global health and should be supported rather than defunded. I urge policymakers to prioritize science and research funding for the betterment of society as a whole.
In conclusion, science matters for America’s health and the health of the entire world. By investing in programs like the Fogarty International Center, we can ensure a brighter and healthier future for all.
