Article
Why Harvard? When Federal Research Funding Misses the Mark on Behavioral Health
Carolyn Bradfield, April 2025
The federal government just announced a pause of over $2 billion in grant funding to Harvard University, with behavioral health and addiction research potentially taking some of the hardest hits. But don’t worry, Harvard will be just fine as they are the richest institution in the country with the largest endowment war chest to tap into as they resist the government’s demands that they consider unreasonable or unconstitutional.
As over 200 grants face cuts—many without transparent rationale—an uncomfortable question has emerged: Why does an institution like Harvard, with a $50 billion endowment, continue to receive over $1 billion in NIH funding annually, while vital addiction research at public institutions is pulled?
This isn’t an attack on Harvard’s research excellence. It’s a call for smarter, more equitable funding strategies—especially at a time when more than 100,000 Americans die annually from drug overdoses, and access to mental health services remains dangerously limited in underserved regions.
Why does an institution like Harvard, with a $50 billion endowment, continue to receive billions in federal funding?
Research threatened at other institutions
Harvard remains flush with federal funds and private capital with the capacity to sustain itself even during grant disruptions. Public universities don’t. Here are some grants that went away that could have made an impact to help at-risk and underserved populations.
- The University of South Florida, which lost a $1.78 million grant to develop the substance misuse research workforce.
- Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), which had opioid use prevention and tribal health initiatives placed at risk.
- The University of Rochester, where a behavioral health research program aimed at underserved youth populations was defunded.
The Case for Spreading the Funds
Federal research dollars should be allocated to maximize real-world impact, not institutional pedigree. Shifting a portion of these funds to non-elite universities would:
Drive regional innovation
Address rural and underserved areas where addiction and mental health challenges are most acute.
Support the behavioral health workforce
The workforce that is positioned to serve the behavioral health industry is largely trained at public universities.
Foster inclusive research
Research at non-elite universities often reflects diverse lived experiences and understands community needs.
Reduce systemic disparities
Empower institutions that lack billion-dollar safety nets but hold deep local relevance to participate in important research.
As we face a national mental health and addiction crisis, funding should flow to those best positioned to make a difference—not just to those with the biggest endowments.
When federal funding favors prestige over public need, the true cost isn’t measured in lost grants—it’s measured in lost lives.
Final Thoughts
If you're a behavioral health professional, researcher, or advocate, now is the time to speak up. Demand transparency in federal funding decisions and push for equitable investment in addiction and mental health research—especially at the institutions doing the work on the ground. Share your story. Tag your representatives. Let’s shift the conversation from prestige to impact.
About the Author
Carolyn Bradfield is the CEO of Pathroot Health, where she helps treatment providers adopt value-based care and tech-enabled recovery support. A seasoned entrepreneur, she has founded four successful technology companies in conferencing, collaboration, and cloud-based platforms. Her passion for long-term recovery solutions is deeply personal—shaped by the struggles of her husband and daughter, which led her to create Phoenix Outdoor, a pioneering treatment program for adolescents and families. Today, she’s focused on equipping providers with tools to track outcomes, engage alumni and families, and use data-driven insights to strengthen recovery and reduce relapse.
See how Pathroot Health can help you shift to a value-based care solution. Get in touch ».
