An IRIS fact sheet on the impacts of university research spending was cited by Jay Walsh, Interim Vice President for Economic Development and Innovation, University of Illinois System, at a congressional hearing on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on university research.
Walsh spoke to the Subcommittee on Research and Technology Subcommittee of the U.S. House Science Committee on Sept. 9, 2020. His written testimony cited the fact that approximately 53% of employees paid by research funds are students or trainees, including post-doctorate researchers.
Subcommittee Chair Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) said a bipartisan group of committee members support a proposal to authorize $26 billion to universities for full-cost extensions of research grants that have been interrupted by COVID-19 closures.