[WASHINGTON, DC] – Today’s Senate VA Hearing highlighted a promising and growing interest among lawmakers in making clinical research a routine, accessible part of the care Veterans receive through VA. Several Senators emphasized the value of integrating research into the broader VA healthcare model, making a powerful affirmation of the role research plays in driving better outcomes.

While Secretary Collins continues past the first 100 days of becoming acquainted with the full scope of the VA research enterprise, this presents a positive opportunity. NAVREF and the NPC research community stand ready as committed partners to support his engagement and to strengthen awareness of this vital work. We look forward to continuing the conversation during next week’s Research Week, helping to ensure VA leadership and Congress are aligned in advancing a more research-driven future for Veteran care.

NAVREF also commends the strong bipartisan spirit displayed during today’s Senate hearing with both Democrats and Republicans alike demonstrating a shared commitment to ensuring the VA delivers meaningful, high-quality outcomes for our nation’s Veterans.

As Secretary Collins continues his efforts to build a more responsive and forward-looking VA, we believe success will depend on strong partnerships with external stakeholders to meet the evolving needs of veterans.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new national survey conducted by Ipsos reveals overwhelming public support for research at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), underscoring its essential role in driving better healthcare for Veterans and advancing medicine for all Americans.

To mark the 100th Anniversary of the VA Research Program, the National Association of Veterans' Research and Education Foundations (NAVREF) partnered with Ipsos to explore how veterans and the American public view the impact of VA research. The findings show near-unanimous agreement across the country:

• 96% of Veterans (and 87% of Americans) believe it is important for Veterans to have access to medical treatments developed specifically for military-related injuries and experience.
• 91% of Veterans (and 85% of Americans) say it is crucial for VA clinicians and staff to lead medical research that drives improvements in care.
• 92% of Veterans (and 86% of Americans) support ensuring Veterans have access to the latest research and innovative treatments.

Additional findings include:

• 86% of Veterans and 71% of Americans agree that VA leaders should prioritize delivering high-quality healthcare, rather than focusing on cost savings.
• A substantial 83% of veterans and 70% of Americans believe efforts to fund and facilitate VA medical and health research should be strengthened or maintained at their current levels.
• Despite this strong support, public awareness of VA’s research contributions remains limited. Only a quarter of Americans correctly identified that VA researchers produce a significant amount of medical and health research.

“The American people and our nation’s Veterans have spoken with one voice: VA research matters,” said Rashi Romanoff, CEO of NAVREF. “VA research saves lives and honors the sacrifices of those who have served. This overwhelming support is a call to action—to invest boldly, to innovate fearlessly, and to ensure that every Veteran has access to the best that medicine can offer.”

The survey results send a clear message that VA research is valued by the public and viewed as foundational to delivering the care Veterans deserve – and continued investment is critical.

Since its inception in 1925, VA research has pioneered numerous breakthroughs, including the development of the first implantable cardiac pacemaker, the first successful liver transplant, and the creation of the nicotine patch for smoking cessation. VA researchers have also been instrumental in advancing treatments for tuberculosis, heart disease, diabetes, and mental health conditions such as PTSD and depression.

NAVREF urges increased federal investment in VA research to ensure Veterans receive cutting-edge care and to accelerate medical innovation nationwide. This message is echoed by a broad coalition of more than 80 healthcare institutions and member organizations—including the Association of American Medical Colleges, American Psychological Association, American Thoracic Society, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the Nurses Organization of VA—calling on Congress to provide sustained, predictable funding in FY26. These investments are essential to advancing priority research areas and delivering lifesaving treatments to Veterans across the country.

To learn more about NAVREF advocacy and hear directly from those who’ve benefited from VA research, visit navref.org/Voice-of-the-Veteran.

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For media inquiries please contact:

Elizabeth Stout

estout@navref.org

Communications and Public Policy

About NAVREF

The National Association of Veterans' Research and Education Foundations (NAVREF) is dedicated to advancing the success of the VA-affiliated research and education foundations. NAVREF's mission is building a stronger veteran research and innovation community through support and collaboration. Our organization represents a network of over 75 VA-affiliated research foundations legislated by Congress to maximize VA research efforts.

On April 17, 2025, President Trump issued a Presidential Memorandum formally extending the Federal civilian hiring freeze through July 15, 2025. This action follows the initial hiring freeze directive issued on January 20, 2025, and reaffirms the administration’s efforts to restructure and streamline the Federal workforce under Executive Orders 14170 and 14210.

While this memorandum affirms continued protection of "veterans’ benefits," it may nonetheless create operational delays, particularly in areas dependent on Federal hiring or onboarding of new staff. 

NAVREF is actively engaging with ORD and other relevant stakeholders and we will continue to advocate for necessary exemptions and push for clear guidance that preserves the integrity and momentum of veterans' health research.

We will keep you updated as more information becomes available. Please feel free to reach out if you encounter any issues or need assistance.

Please note that under the freeze, a WOC can convert to an IPA if the position is exempt; otherwise, we have to wait until the freeze is lifted.

VA has announced a 90-day extension for NTE appointments related to research to ensure the continuity of VA research efforts. This 90-day extension applies to both expiring WOC and IPA appointments.

The VA Research Program, a cornerstone of veterans' healthcare, is facing unprecedented challenges. A federal hiring freeze, workforce reductions, and funding cuts threaten to disrupt critical research and clinical trials that veterans rely on today.

NAVREF, in collaboration with leading veterans' service organizations (VSOs) like Disabled American Veterans, The Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Veterans of Foreign Wars, is sounding the alarm. Immediate action is needed to protect veterans' access to life-saving treatments and ensure the continuation of vital research efforts. Without this intervention, critical clinical trials for cancer treatments, suicide prevention, opioid withdrawal, and more will be delayed, putting veterans’ health at risk.

Read the full statement here.

NAVREF has submitted a formal statement for the record ahead of the February 25th HVAC Legislative Hearing on HR 740, the Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025. NAVREF is urging Congress to ensure that veterans receiving community care do not lose access to critical VA research, clinical trials, and emerging treatments.

Our statement highlights concerns from the Red Team Executive Roundtable Report, which warns that gaps in data-sharing and care coordination between VA and community providers threaten veterans’ ability to participate in groundbreaking medical advancements. NAVREF calls for structured pathways to integrate research opportunities into community care contracts and safeguard VA’s role in medical innovation, data collection, and training the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Read our full statement here.

The Friends of VA Medical Care and Health Research (FOVA) has issued an urgent letter to Congress regarding the devastating impact of the federal hiring freeze and recent mass dismissals of VA employees.

The hiring freeze threatens to disrupt not only veteran healthcare but also groundbreaking research at VA medical centers nationwide. Key studies on cancer treatments, opioid addiction, prosthetics, suicide prevention, and toxic exposures are now at risk of suspension or cancellation. 

FOVA has called on Congress and the Administration to immediately halt and rescind dismissals of key medical and research staff and to exempt all roles related to medical care and research from the hiring freeze. Without action, the freeze will not only diminish the quality of veteran healthcare but will also stifle medical innovation that benefits veterans and civilians alike.

NAVREF and our coalition partners stand firm in advocating for policies that ensure VA research continues to improve veteran health and advance medical breakthroughs. 

Today, the FOVA Executive Committee, of which NAVREF chairs, released the following statement: 

The federal hiring freeze and recent mass dismissal of VA employees will immediately and adversely impact veteran care, patient safety, and research at VA medical centers nationwide. Among roles that have been impacted by these actions are physicians, nurses, patient coordinators, clinician-scientists, and other medical personnel – roles that are already experiencing critical shortages within the VA system.  

These terminations will disrupt research projects that are vital to veterans’ health, including studies on cancer treatments, opioid addiction, prosthetics, suicide prevention, and toxic exposures. The sudden halt of these initiatives not only undermines advancements in medical care, but also jeopardizes the safety and wellbeing of veterans who rely on these critical services and on access to life-saving medications and treatments. The loss of essential medical and research staff will only lead to longer wait times, reduced access to specialized care, and compromised patient safety.

We urge the Administration to stop the dismissals of key medical and research staff and exempt all roles related to medical care and research from the hiring freeze.  Ensuring that veterans have access to timely, high-quality care is paramount, and maintaining a robust workforce across VA is essential to fulfilling this commitment.  

We call upon policy makers to engage with FOVA members who represent veterans’ organizations, medical professionals, and research organizations to develop strategies that uphold the health and safety of our nation’s veterans, and prioritize the recruitment and retention of qualified medical and research personnel across the VA.

The sacrifices made by our veterans demand that we provide them with the highest standards of care.  It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the VA remains fully equipped to meet their needs without compromising on quality or safety.

NAVREF is actively monitoring key federal policy developments that impact the VA research community. Below is an overview of the most pressing issues and our ongoing advocacy efforts:

Funding Freeze

On January 27, 2025, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a directive pausing federal grants, loans, and financial assistance. This raised legal concerns, leading to lawsuits that resulted in temporary restraining orders from federal judges in D.C. and Rhode Island. While OMB has since rescinded the memo, the administration is exploring alternative ways to restrict funding.

Federal Hiring Freeze

The current hiring freeze continues to affect research-related positions within VA. While ORD has clarified that certain exemptions apply to pending research hires, strict limitations remain:

• New WOCs & IPAs can only be submitted for positions on the exemption list.

• Affiliate badge requests are temporarily on hold.

• No-cost IPAs cannot be used to bypass the hiring freeze.

Positions with firm job offers before January 20 and start dates before February 8 are not impacted. Historically, hiring freezes last around 90 days, but there is no clear timeline for this one. NAVREF is closely tracking VA’s efforts to secure additional hiring exemptions for research staff.

Executive Orders Impacting VA Research

The administration has issued multiple executive orders affecting federal operations, including VA research. Key orders include:

• Hiring Freeze Executive Order – Suspends new federal hires, with limited exemptions, affecting VA research staffing.

• Funding Review Executive Order – Requires federal agencies to assess and align funding with new administration priorities, contributing to uncertainty around grant disbursements.

• Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) (Jan 23, 2025) -- Establishes an advisory council that could shape federal research priorities

• Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs (Jan 20, 2025) --Ends DEI-focused initiatives across federal agencies, including VA
• Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism (Jan 20, 2025) -- Defines U.S. policy on sex-based distinctions in federal programs.
• Regulatory Freeze Pending Review (Jan 20, 2025) -- Suspends new regulations and administrative processes.
• Enforcing the Hyde Amendment (Jan 24, 2025) -- Restricts federal funding for abortion-related research and services.

DEIA Program Rollback

VA has moved forward with implementing the executive order to eliminate DEI initiatives across the department. As a result:

• 60+ DEI-focused employees have been placed on administrative leave.

• DEI-related contracts, totaling over $6.1 million, are being canceled.

• VA is removing DEI-related content from its digital platforms.

Letter to the Transition Team

On January 20, NAVREF submitted a letter to the presidential transition team, advocating for sustained investment in VA research. Our recommendations include:

• Increased funding for veteran-focused clinical trials.

• Expanded resources for advanced research and innovation.

• Strengthened partnerships between VA and the private sector.

Congressional Engagement

NAVREF is actively engaging with key HVAC and SVAC policymakers to reinforce the importance of VA research funding and policy stability. 

NAVREF will continue to provide updates as these issues evolve. If you have concerns or need guidance on how these policies may affect your research program, please reach out to estout@navref.org.

Today, NAVREF submitted the attached letter to the Trump Transition team, outlining strategic recommendations to enhance the future of VA research and development. This letter highlights critical areas requiring attention and support to ensure sustained growth and innovation within the VA research community.

NAVREF's letter emphasizes the importance of expanding resources for veteran-centric clinical trials, boosting funding for cutting-edge research initiatives, and fostering stronger partnerships between the VA and the private sector. The recommendations aim to strengthen the infrastructure for scientific discovery and improve health outcomes for veterans across the nation.

The submission underscores NAVREF's ongoing advocacy for increased federal investment in VA research, which has been instrumental in breakthroughs in mental health, toxic exposure treatments, and precision medicine.