This week, the U.S. Senate introduced a resolution honoring the 100th anniversary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Research program and designating May 12–16, 2025, as Veterans Affairs Research Week. This milestone recognizes the VA’s century-long legacy of innovation, discovery, and impact on the lives of Veterans, the broader American public, and the global scientific community.
Introduced by Senator Tammy Duckworth, the bipartisan resolution highlights how VA research has transformed care delivery, pioneered medical breakthroughs, and reshaped public health outcomes. It not only commemorates a historic achievement, but also underscores the vital need to continue investing in the VA’s research mission for generations to come.
The VA's research enterprise began in 1925 when the Veterans’ Bureau—the VA’s predecessor—established the Medical Research Section. Early efforts included building hospital-based research programs and creating diagnostic clinic networks that linked VA facilities with outside medical experts. These innovations set the stage for a century of progress, from the first liver transplant and the creation of the cardiac pacemaker to major advances in tuberculosis treatment, CT scanning, and hearing aid development.
Today, VA research remains at the forefront of discovery. The resolution celebrates a few of the more than 7,000 active research projects being conducted across the VA system, emphasizing fields such as mental health, oncology, diabetes, and neurology. It also calls out groundbreaking contributions like GLP-1 drug development, stemming from studies on Gila monster metabolism at the Bronx VA—research that revolutionized diabetes and weight management care around the world.
The resolution also recognizes the important role of VA-affiliated nonprofit research and education corporations (NPCs), which support public-private partnerships and help amplify VA investigators' impact. These collaborations ensure that VA researchers can pursue novel therapies, clinical trials, and cutting-edge studies while maintaining a Veteran-centered focus.
NAVREF is proud to represent the network of NPCs that facilitate these vital partnerships. By supporting the infrastructure and agility needed to respond to emerging scientific opportunities, NPCs help ensure that VA research remains responsive, relevant, and robust.
The Senate resolution affirms five key commitments:
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Celebrating the 100-year milestone of VA research and its impact.
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Applauding the dedication and scientific excellence of VA investigators and their affiliates.
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Recognizing the importance of sustained Federal support for VA research.
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Acknowledging VA research’s contributions to local and national economies.
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Supporting the formal designation of May 12–16, 2025, as Veterans Affairs Research Week.
