Many of us imagine biomedical research as something vague and distant: white coats, sterile laboratories, and complicated science we could not begin to explain — none of it touching our daily lives. But it touches everything.
When the AAMC was founded 150 years ago, diphtheria and tuberculosis were among the leading causes of death in the United States. The basics of germ theory were still taking hold, and a simple infection could turn fatal. The average American could expect to live to about 40.
Today, we vaccinate against diphtheria and tuberculosis, treat infections with antibiotics, and have a life expectancy that has nearly doubled. We understand the human body far better than we ever have — and that understanding has given us more time, more comfort, and more freedom to spend our lives on what matters most. All of it traces back to decades of hypotheses tested, experiments learned from, and discoveries built on the work of researchers who came before.
The same spirit of inquiry that drove germ theory in the 1860s drives personalized cancer immunotherapies today. The ecosystem that has since formed around it turns inquiry into lasting, lifesaving progress: federal investment, strong medical education and training, sound health policy, and institutions willing to take on long-term challenges. The AAMC is proud to lead and serve that ecosystem in a number of important ways:
Advocating for robust research funding
- The AAMC regularly advocates for sustained, predictable NIH funding among Congress and federal agencies, ensuring that policymakers understand how essential biomedical research investment is to public health, economic growth, and national competitiveness.
- We produce ongoing data reports and analyses that policymakers use to make informed funding decisions, translating complex budget issues into clear, compelling arguments for robust research investment.
Helping researchers navigate policy and regulatory complexity
- As federal research policy constantly evolves, the AAMC helps our members stay ahead of changes in funding, compliance requirements, and oversight frameworks through our Science Policy Hub. We want researchers to spend their time on science, not paperwork.
- The AAMC closely monitors NIH extramural funding trends, giving member institutions up-to-date information to understand the funding landscape and plan their own research strategically.
Building community and sharing knowledge
- Through the newly launched Biomedical Research Advancement, Training, and Oversight Group, the AAMC connects faculty, staff, and administrative leaders across the research enterprise to share resources, discuss emerging issues, and learn from one another.
- Our virtual communities network gives researchers a space to network, share best practices, and navigate challenges — from federal funding shifts to workforce development to conflict-of-interest policy.
Supporting the future of research
- The next generation of biomedical researchers deserves training, mentorship, and career development support. The AAMC serves PhD students, MD-PhD students, and postdoctoral scholars through a range of resources, programming, and advocacy that strengthen the research workforce.
- We strive for a biomedical research workforce that reflects the diversity of the patients and communities it serves, because a wider range of perspectives leads to better questions — and better science. The AAMC Black Women in Scientific Research project is one example of our work to challenge prevailing narratives, encourage future researchers, increase awareness of disparities facing this group, and amplify the value of representation.
As the research landscape continues to shift, the AAMC’s commitment to the individuals and institutions driving scientific discovery has never mattered more. We strive to continue the lifesaving and life-changing progress we have seen over the last 150 years, supporting the health and wellbeing of millions of Americans.
Learn more about how the AAMC supports the biomedical research community, and all who benefit from it.