Remote Surveillance Trailer in Grants, NM

Approximately $133 million in federal grants from the National Institutes of Health supported more than 1,300 jobs and drove more than $300 million in new economic activity in New Mexico last year, according to an annual analysis from a national advocacy group.

The findings were part of the 2026 annual report from United for Medical Research, a coalition of universities, patient advocates and private industry established in 2009 to seek increased NIH investment in biomedical research.

New Mexico did not see significant declines in the number of projects funded unlike 19 other states and the District of Columbia, which experienced at least a 10% decrease in the number of awards in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to the report.

Last year, the NIH refused to pay for thousands of grants it characterized as related to diversity, equity and inclusion, prompting New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez and a coalition of Democratic attorneys general to sue the agency. The parties settled late last year, with grant decisions still pending.

The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, which receives the most NIH grants in New Mexico, has 188 active projects with more than $96 million in grants, according to a federal grant tracker.

According to a statement provided to Source NM by HSC Vice President of Research Hengameh Raissy, those grants included upwards of $25 million across 20 projects over the last year, including studying brain and behavioral health, substance use disorders, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer screening in underserved populations.

Additionally, UNM, in collaboration with the University of Arizona and nonprofit hospital system Banner Health, secured a $43.6 million grant over the next seven years to expand research capacity and accelerate the use of novel treatments at the joint Clinical and Translational Science Award center.

The Health Sciences Center will “closely monitor” federal funding in coming months, Raissy said, adding that the administration felt “encouraged” that upcoming 2026 NIH grant funding was projected to be higher than 2025, but cautioned that federal decisions on spending were not yet final.

Grants, N.M. - Celebrating the rich legacy of the Mother Road, America’s Main Street, the Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit will be on view in Grants, NM April 25-27, 2026. The exhibit marks two major milestones: the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and the 250th anniversary of the United States.

The exhibit will be open to the public:

April 25 (Saturday) from 10 am - 7 pm including special entertainment including speakers, food trucks and music. April 26 (Sunday) from 11 am 5 pm. April 27 (Monday) from 10 am - 4 pm for school visits. School visits please RSVP to grantsmainstreet66@ gmail.com .Drawing from the documentary film series Route 66: The Untold Story of Women on the Mother Road by project director Katrina Parks, the traveling exhibit combines large-format interpretive panels, audiovisual materials, and educational activities designed for youth and family audiences. Together, these elements invite visitors to explore how Route 66 shaped American history, culture, and identity through the stories of the people who lived, worked, and traveled along it.

From the glow of neon signs to the steady hum of tires on open pavement, every mile of Route 66 tells a story. For nearly a century, the road has drawn visitors from around the world and continues to hold countless stories waiting to be uncovered.

On Saturday, April 25 at 6:00 p.m., the public is invited to attend a panel discussion featuring project director Katrina Parks, educational content creator Kari Kussmann and author Sharon Niederman. The discussion will explore the historical significance of Route 66, the origins of the Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit, and the importance of education and preservation as the nation approaches the Route 66 centennial.

The Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit is funded in part through a grant with the New Mexico Tourism Department. It is also made possible with support from the Octavia Fellin Public Library, Grants Main Street, and many other institutions. The exhibit will continue to travel to communities along the Mother Road, highlighting local histories while connecting them to the broader national story.

For more information about exhibit hours, programming, or upcoming tour locations, please visit www.route66exhibit.com.