Fostering better science by releasing biomedical research and innovation from the grip of rich nations

Abstract

In early 2025, the new US administration took unprecedented actions to axe funding to federal science and agencies and suspend foreign aid programs. Beyond the evident toll on global health – such as the closure of clinics that support vulnerable communities and interruptions in epidemiological surveillance – the erosion of US foreign aid presents a potential opportunity to redress long-standing inequities in biomedical research [1,2]. The call for change is not new: the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of global health systems, highlighting the importance of national and regional self-sufficiency in research and innovation. Moreover, there is a growing acknowledgement of the need to dismantle systemic power imbalances and confront historical injustices. By addressing the inequities in biomedical research and considering how these can be redressed, this opinion piece aims to contribute to a broader effort to centre marginalized voices and knowledge systems.