In an op-ed published in The Wall Street Journal, Johns Hopkins University President Ron Daniels and University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas A. Girod called for immediate action from federal agencies to release research funding that Congress approved in February. They noted that while this funding is crucial for advancing innovations in healthcare, agriculture, and technology, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has only allocated 33% of its usual funding of $26 billion to universities this fiscal year. Furthermore, the National Science Foundation has only distributed 20% of its typical awards. The authors pointed out that new NIH awards to universities have dropped by 46% year-over-year, with funding for emerging scientists down by 75%. They emphasized the broader economic implications, stating that NIH funding supports around 400,000 jobs nationwide and contributes over $94.5 billion to the economy each year. The delay in releasing these funds not only hampers research but also places an additional burden on the private sector and American families, who are left waiting longer for essential treatments and technological advancements.