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2025 August Advocacy Challenge

Engage With Your Members of Congress

Now is the time to make your voice heard for medical research. Federal lawmakers are back home in their states and districts in August, meeting with constituents and attending local events. When they return to Washington, they are expected to focus on finalizing next year’s budget (FY26). 

This is a pivotal moment to remind them why medical and health research matters. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) drives groundbreaking discoveries and delivers life-saving treatments and cures. With FY26 budget decisions likely coming in September, now is the time to act. 

Here’s how you can make an impact: 

 Join our August Advocacy Challenge. Connect with your members of Congress and earn points for your actions!  

2025 August Advocacy Challenge

To track what actions you’ve completed, download a copy of this scorecard. At the end of August, send your scorecard to [email protected]. The deadline to submit your scorecards is Tuesday, Sept. 2.  

Use this guide to find your lawmakers’ names, contact information, websites, and newsletters. 

Advocate – 5 points – Taking the First Step 

  1. Fill out this action alert to urge your lawmakers to provide at least $51.3 billion for the NIH in FY26. (5 points) 
  2. Follow Research!America on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or X (formerly Twitter). (5 points per follow, up to 20 points) 
  3. Sign up for your federal lawmakers’ newsletters. (5 points per sign-up, up to 15 points) 

Builder – 10 points – Building Momentum 

  1. Call your federal lawmakers’ offices utilizing the script in the toolkit. (10 points per call, up to 30 points) 
  2. Edit and personalize the action alert mentioned above with your own story. You can find the action alert here. (10 points)  
  3. Share a Research!America social media post on LinkedIn. (10 points)  

Champion – 25 points – Leading the Charge 

  1.  Attend a Town Hall Meeting. (25 points) 
    • Ask a question at a town hall meeting about prioritizing the NIH budget for FY26, add an additional 50 points. 
  2. Go to your federal lawmaker’s district office with leave-behind materials and a personal note. A personal note template is provided in the toolkit. (25 points) 
  3. Meet with one of your lawmakers or their staff. (25 points) 
  4. Write a letter to the editor. (A “how-to” guide is provided in the resource section below.) (25 points) 
    • If your letter is published, add an additional 50 points. 

Bonus Points  

  1. Create a social media post explaining why medical and health research is important to you and include a picture. Be sure to use our hashtag #RAAugChallenge and tag us on the platform of your choice. (10 points)
    • Twitter/X: @researchamerica 
    • Facebook: @ResearchAmerica.org 
    • LinkedIn: @Research!America: Discovery. Innovation. Health. 
    • Instagram: @researchamerica_alliance 
  2. Send a brief video explaining why medical research is important to you. To participate, use this Google submission form here, which includes detailed instructions. If you don’t have a Google account or cannot access the form, here are the instructions on how to submit your video. (15 Points)
    • Post the video on social media, use our hashtag #RAAugChallenge, and tag us on the platform of your choice. (10 Points)
    • If you’re not feeling creative, don’t worry, just use one of the sample messages below.
      • Medical research is important to me because…I want more time with the people I love.
      • Medical research is important to me because…research gives us hope.
      • Medical research is important to me because…research makes cures possible, but only if we keep investing in discovery
      • Medical research is important to me because…[person] is fighting [disease].
        • For example, my mom is fighting cancer.
    • By sending in a video, you have the opportunity to be part of a video montage that will be featured on Research!America socials.

Toolkit 

 

This toolkit provides tips, templates, scripts, sample social media posts, and other resources to guide you in your advocacy this month.

 

 

Download sample graphics for LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or X/Twitter here.

 

 

Additional Advocacy Resources 

Writing a “Letter to the Editor” 101 

Sample Letter to the Editor 

NIH Factsheet 

NIH Fast Facts  

How to Find Your Legislators  

Guide to Virtual Meetings with Congressional Staff  

FASEB: Tips for Attending a Congressional Town Hall Meeting 

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