Fungal Library Faces Closure Amid Funding Cuts

A critical living library of soil fungi, the International Collection of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (INVAM) at the University of Kansas, is at risk of closure. Established in 1985 and housing over 900 fungal strains from six continents, INVAM supports 70% of land plant species by providing vital nutrients and resilience. Its essential work in restoring degraded ecosystems and reducing reliance on artificial fertilizers is now threatened by the termination of its latest federal grant and proposed budget cuts.

The collection's survival depends on continuous, meticulous labor to maintain the viability of fungal spores, a process requiring unique expertise found nowhere else in the U.S. This contrasts sharply with the largely ineffective and unregulated commercial fungal biofertilizer market, where numerous products fail to colonize plant roots. INVAM's role is paramount for scientific advancement, as many research questions about these fundamental organisms can only be answered using living cultures.

Experts emphasize that losing INVAM would be a catastrophic blow to understanding and leveraging fungi for climate change strategies, restoration, and regenerative agriculture. As federal investment in basic science shifts, the potential loss of this irreplaceable resource underscores the urgent need for sustained public funding to safeguard vital scientific collections and their contributions to ecological health and sustainable practices.