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!
Bonus: Our top five advocates will win Research!America merchandise and be featured on this page.
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
- Fill out this action alert to urge your lawmakers to provide at least $51.3 billion for the NIH in FY26. (5 points)
- Follow Research!America on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or X (formerly Twitter). (5 points per follow, up to 20 points)
- Sign up for your federal lawmakers’ newsletters. (5 points per sign-up, up to 15 points)
Builder – 10 points – Building Momentum
- Call your federal lawmakers’ offices utilizing the script in the toolkit. (10 points per call, up to 30 points)
- Edit and personalize the action alert mentioned above with your own story. You can find the action alert here. (10 points)
- Share a Research!America social media post on LinkedIn. (10 points)
Champion – 25 points – Leading the Charge
- 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.
- 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)
- Meet with one of your lawmakers or their staff. (25 points)
- 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
- 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
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