Bipartisan Collins bill to invest in research and innovation signed into law

President Obama signed bipartisan legislation into law on Tuesday that U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) coauthored to create new opportunities for researchers and to invest in science and innovation.

The Next Generation Researchers Act, which Collins coauthored with U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), establishes the Next Generation of Researchers Initiative within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of the Director.

Under the initiative, new and current policies will be coordinated to help promote opportunities for new scientists and to foster earlier research independence.

“Maintaining our nation’s competitive edge in both research and innovation depends greatly on the strength of our commitment to attracting, cultivating, and equipping world-class scientific minds,” Collins said.

“Our bipartisan legislation strengthens our nation’s commitment to the next generation of cutting-edge researchers. This critical investment will help to empower these young innovative researchers in Maine and across our country with the resources they need to continue to lead the world in groundbreaking scientific research and development,” Collins added.

The bill would enhance NIH loan repayment programs by increasing the amount of loans the NIH can forgive for trainees from $35,000 to $50,000 per year.

“This new law will make a strong commitment to our young scientists, who are being held back by state and federal budget cuts and are in need of greater support to pursue life-saving research and discover the next medical breakthrough,” Baldwin said.