Calling All Advocates
May 10 marks the 75th anniversary of the National Science Foundation (NSF). Congress founded this agency in 1950 to invest in innovative science and technology research. Thanks to decades of taxpayer-funded research supported by NSF, we have life-changing capabilities, such as improved kidney matching for donors and recipients, more powerful medical imaging with MRIs, and even 3D printing. Yet, the president’s FY26 budget request to Congress last week calls for a $5.2 billion (about 57%) cut to the agency. Show your support for NSF! The Coalition for National Science Funding has created this webpage with advocacy tools, including state-by-state NSF fact sheets and terrific examples of NSF-funded research. I urge you to match this information with your determination to assure the cuts do not take place – reach out to your member of Congress now!
On the Hill: This week, two Senate committees held hearings to consider nominees for key leadership roles at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction to advance the nominations, held a hearing on James O’Neill for Deputy Secretary and Gary Andres for Assistant Secretary. The Senate HELP Committee also held a hearing on O’Neill’s nomination; committee votes are not yet scheduled. Watch the Finance Committee hearing here and the HELP Committee hearing here.
Next week, on Wednesday, May 14, at 1:30 p.m. ET, the Senate HELP Committee will hold a full committee hearing to review the president’s FY26 budget request for HHS. Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is scheduled to testify. You can watch it here.
Off the Hill: As reflected in our updated Administration Actions Timeline, on May 1, the NIH announced an immediate pause on new and renewing grant awards to the U.S.-led research consortia that include foreign partners receiving subaward funding. The pause will be followed by a new multi-layered oversight system for foreign subgrantees.
On May 5, a new Executive Order (EO) was issued that focuses on gain-of-function research. We are working to better understand the implications of this EO – more to come on that front.
More Advocacy Actions and Resources: The Senate FY26 NIH “Dear Colleague” letter (a request from one group of members to another group), led by Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) is now circulating, urging appropriators to maintain strong support for NIH funding. Research!America has created an editable email you can use to contact your senators and encourage them to sign on. This is a critical time to demonstrate bipartisan backing for medical research. The deadline for senators to sign is COB Monday, May 12.
Research!America has also created another editable email you can use to contact your senator about signing on to a bipartisan “Dear Colleague” letter, led by Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) supporting robust funding for the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) at the Department of Defense. The deadline for senators to sign is May 30.
Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-RI) is leading a sign-on letter for House members, urging NIH to continue to fund global research partnerships as it pursues changes to the oversight of foreign subgrantees. Use our editable email to ask your representatives to sign the letter.
To boost your advocacy, tap our updated NIH and American Health resource, which highlights the concrete impacts of NIH-funded research. Additionally, the AAMC Scientific Affairs team has developed an extremely helpful overview of the state-by-state Impact of NIH Grant Terminations.
New CBER Director: Dr. Vinay Prasad has been appointed to lead the FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER). This center regulates important biological products such as vaccines and gene therapies.
Wide Support for Veterans Research: A new survey from the National Association of Veterans’ Research and Education Foundations and Ipsos reveals that 86% of Americans support ensuring veterans have access to the latest research and innovative treatments. Learn more about how veterans and the American public value research supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Advocacy Training: Partner with Research!America for a tailored advocacy training for you and your colleagues, staff, or volunteers. These sessions are designed to provide the tools needed for effective and confident advocacy in local communities and with policymakers. Please contact Senior Director of Membership and Development Kristen Furlong for additional information.
Save the Date: Mark your calendars for an off-the-record alliance members-only meeting on Thursday, May 15, at noon ET about the potential impact of tariffs, “Most Favored Nation” pricing policy, and other recent developments bearing on public and private sector-fueled R&D. If you are with an alliance member organization, keep an eye on your emails for the registration information.
Join Research!America: The membership process is straightforward, the benefits are compelling, and your participation helps amplify the impact of our multi-sector alliance on and off Capitol Hill. Email Senior Director of Membership and Development Kristen Furlong for more information.