Senator Ben Nelson: Over $1.5 Million In Biomedical Funding Coming To Nebraska

May 27, 2009 -- Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson announced today that the National Institutes of Health will be sending more than $1.5 million in funding to Nebraska as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The funds will be used for biomedical research and training.

“These funds will help some of Nebraska’s leading research institutions to stay on the forefront of biomedical research,” said Senator Ben Nelson. “In addition, these grants will provide research opportunities for students who would otherwise not have been able to secure funding.”

Creighton University in Omaha will receive $922,946 for three separate research projects relating to the treatments for hearing loss, immunodeficiency, and lymphoid malignancy. The University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha will receive $468,688 for biomedical research into possible treatments for patients suffering from chronic pulmonary mucus hypersecretory diseases. UNMC will also receive $107,969 to study a type of strep bacteria that can lead to cavities and infective endocarditis.

The University of Nebraska at Lincoln will receive $26,724 to hire a student and/or teacher as part of a program to create research opportunities for thousands of high school and college students at NIH funded labs across the country. Creighton University in Omaha will receive $29,825 for the same program on its campus.

Senator Nelson played a key role in the passage of the $787 billion stimulus bill. He worked with a bipartisan group of nearly 20 Senators to better focus The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on tax cuts for the middle class and job creation for millions of Americans. Senator Nelson led the group through the initial bill line by line, dollar by dollar, to reduce spending and cut out $108 billion of inefficient or less-stimulative spending. The bipartisan group helped the improved bill win congressional approval. President Obama signed it into law February 17, 2009.

Source: Senator Ben Nelson