Researchers in Iowa keeping eye on Congress

(AP) - University officials in Iowa said they're waiting and watching what will happen with research funding after the expiration of the federal stimulus program and government spending cuts.

The Iowa City Press-Citizen reported that research is 35 percent of the budget at Iowa State University and 23 percent at the University of Iowa. Compared with last year, research funding is down at both schools, but both universities had record external funding last year.

University of Iowa Vice President for Research Jordan Cohen said it's difficult to guess what Congress will do or the impact it will have on the school, but it could "potentially have major consequences."

Cohen said he doesn't expect an increase in federal money for research.

"That is a hope I don't think anyone is counting on," Cohen said. "The budget circumstances of this country make it unlikely we will see a big infusion; we are just hoping it won't be cut."

At Iowa State University, Vice President for Research and Economic Development Sharron Quisenberry said uncertainty in federal funding translates into a need to diversify revenue.

"We have a very clear understanding we need to build a mixed portfolio for grants and continue to grow, and that is what we intend to do," she said.

John Engelhardt, an anatomy and cell biology professor at the University of Iowa, had two federal stimulus grants worth $1.3 million. It boosted his cystic fibrosis research and allowed him to give junior faculty money to develop their own labs to study gene therapy.

"It is a time of uncertainty," Engelhardt said. "When I've spoken to program directors that control my funding, they don't know what to expect. If they keep the budget flat, they are going to have serious backlash."

Research funding supports about 2,300 jobs at the University of Iowa. Engelhardt said he hopes Congress protects jobs and research affected by the falloff in stimulus funding. He worries about layoffs.

"Those are a lot of jobs that are going to be lost and a lot of encouraging research that won't be pushed forward," Engelhardt said.