Zooming In
Switching things up a bit this week to start with our upcoming virtual alliance meetings on Zoom:
- On Tuesday, March 24 at noon ET, we’re holding an off-the-record alliance member-only meeting with strategist Carrie Wolinetz looking at the recent flurry of developments at NIH and other federal research agencies. We will also brainstorm about the request for input on the new NIH strategic plan. If you are with an alliance member organization, please email Jacqueline Lagoy for the Zoom link.
- On Thursday, March 26 at noon ET, Molly Roberts, Vice President of Advocacy at Fight Colorectal Cancer and Dr. Cathy Eng, David. H. Johnson Endowed Chair in Surgical & Medical Oncology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center will join us to take a closer look at what is known, and isn’t, about the alarming rates of colorectal cancer. Now the leading cause of cancer-related death for those under 50 in the U.S., this urgent challenge underscores the significance of science and its ability to save lives. This discussion is open to all. Register here.
- On Wednesday, April 1 at noon ET, we’ll focus on a related topic: the future of the U.S. biotech sector. Dr. Garrett Dunlap, Associate Director of Policy & International Engagement, Engineering Biology Research Consortium (EBRC) and Dr. Kelly Seagraves, Vice President for National Security and International Affairs, Biotechnology Innovation Organization, will join us to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping small companies that are shattering the boundaries of medical progress. This discussion, too, is open to all. Register here.
NIH Oversight Hearing: On Tuesday, the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee held an NIH oversight hearing featuring Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya. Key information shared:
- The Office of Management and Budget has released funding for NIH and other federal agencies. This “apportionment” is crucial to ensuring NIH can catch up from a very slow start to grantmaking in FY26.
- Along these same lines, Dr. Bhattacharya pledged to spend all of the funds allocated to the NIH for FY26 and emphasized that NIH will fully support high-quality science this year, noting grant funding is actively being distributed, and that efforts are underway to accelerate approvals.
- Dr. Bhattacharya also noted that he would start filling the NIH Director-level vacancies at Institutes, Centers, and Offices within the next month, with some announcements possible before the end of March.
- The president’s “skinny” budget (basically, an abridged version) is expected to be released the week of March 30. We’ll keep you posted.
Note that the director’s comments and the release of dollars by OMB – while welcome – do not, in and of themselves, allay the concern about delayed grant funding. Concerns about insufficient staffing at NIH, the impact of multi-year (forward) funding, and delays associated with the series of steps entailed in the grantmaking process are ongoing. Advocates need to keep raising the issue of slow grant funding until there is tangible proof that dollars are actually getting out the door to propel medical progress.
Watch the hearing here and read Dr. Bhattacharya’s written testimony here.
FY27 Appropriations: A bipartisan House “Dear Colleague” letter is circulating in support of robust FY27 funding for the NIH. You can use our action alert to quickly send a message to your representative, urging them to sign on.
The Senate Appropriations Committee has released guidance for FY27 appropriations requests and Congressionally Directed Spending. Key deadlines include April 21 for Labor-HHS; April 14 for Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) and Agriculture-FDA; and May 12 for Defense. Additional deadlines from individual Senate offices are expected soon.
Research!America maintains a tracker of appropriations request deadlines for each member of Congress to help you stay up to date. Background on the appropriations process and how to weigh in can be found here.
Provide Input on NIH Strategic Plan: On Monday, NIH hosted a public listening session on its 2027-2031 agency-wide strategic plan. The NIH encouraged external input on the plan through the aforementioned Request for Information (RFI), with comments due May 16. Watch Research!America’s Alliance Discussion on “How to Submit an RFI” featuring FASEB. Registration is now open for the next session on April 8, from 2:30–3:30 p.m. ET. (Alliance members, see also March 24 member-only meeting mentioned above.)
Update on SBIR/STTR Programs: The House of Representatives has passed S. 3971, the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act. The bill would reauthorize and reopen the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs following their expiration on Sept. 30, 2025. The legislation, already passed by the Senate, would extend both programs for six years, through Sept. 30, 2031, and now heads to the president’s desk for signature.
ICYMI Advocacy Awards: If you were unable to attend last week’s Advocacy Awards, watch the event on our YouTube channel. Among many great moments: while accepting the Edwin C. Whitehead Award for Medical Research Advocacy, U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) said: “…this (award) means an immense amount to me because it reflects the hope, the determination, the genius, and the hard work of generations of American scientists. You had me at hello.”
In her taped remarks, fellow Whitehead awardee, U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL), said: “Medical research is fundamental to America’s strength, and I am proud to be a partner as we fuel American innovation that opens doors for funding cures.”
Support Our Advocacy Work: Your support is critical for our advocacy efforts. Research!America is working every day to ensure our nation’s discovery, development, and innovation ecosystem not only survives, but thrives. Your support is crucial to ensuring that medical and public health progress remain a national priority. Donate now.