NIH Investments in 2010 Led to the Creation of 487,900 Jobs

In a report published by United for Medical Research, a consortium of science and research medical organizations, Dr. Everett Ehrlich found that extramural research supported by the National Institutes of Health in fiscal year 2010 (FY10) led to the creation of 487,900 quality public and private sector jobs and produced over $68 billion in new activity across the country. According to the report, An Economic Engine: NIH Research, Employment and the Future of the Medical Innovation Sector, the $68 billion in new economic activity would represent over a 150 percent single-year return on public investment (approximately $26.6 billion was awarded by NIH in FY10), counting total economic output from the research as revenue. Ehrlich also found that NIH supported research is an "important source of income and employment" for all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Sixteen states experienced job growth of over 10,000 due to NIH support. In addition, six states received more than $1 billion in research funding from NIH including California ($3.3 billion), Massachusetts ($2.4 billion), New York ($2.0 billion), Pennsylvania ($1.4 billion), Texas ($1.1 billion) and Maryland ($1.0 billion). Ehrlich contends NIH's impact goes well beyond these quantifiable metrics by creating knowledge in the "medical innovation sector." The initial NIH supported research can lead to the creation of new goods and equipment and spur private sector investments into research and development. Read the report...