ASCO is calling on Congress to continue its bipartisan support of federally funded research. Robust, sustained, and predictable funding growth for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) baseline budgets is critical in advancing our nation’s work toward ultimately curing diseases like cancer.
For fiscal year (FY) 2022, ASCO is asking Congress for $46.11 billion for the NIH, which is an increase of $3.18 from FY 2021. Additionally, ASCO supports the NCI’s bypass budget request to Congress for $7.61 billion for the NCI, an increase of $1.05 billion from FY 2021. This increased investment will help spur our nation’s recovery in the wake of the ongoing public health emergency and generate new treatments and better health for all Americans.
House Passes Short-Term Continuing Resolution to Fund the Government Through Dec. 3
On September 21, 2021, the House of Representatives passed a short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) to provide flat funding for federal government agencies, programs, and services, including the NIH, until December 3, 2021.
ASCO is urging the Senate to act quickly to ensure federal funding does not expire. A government shutdown could hurt our nation’s biomedical research and public health infrastructure, at a time when it is still under strain from the COVID-19 public health emergency. Tell Congress to act on federal funding at https://asco.quorum.us/campaign/32162/.
House Boosts Funding for NIH and NCI
On July 29, 2021, the House of Representatives voted for a FY 2022 spending package, which included $49.4 billion in funding for NIH, including a $3.5 billion increase to the NIH baseline budget. The House also included nearly $6.8 million for the NCI and $3 billion over the next 3 years for a new Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) focused on high-risk, bold, translational research projects to develop treatments and cures for cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes.
ASCO was also pleased to see that the House bill fully funded the Cancer Moonshot, the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative, and the STAR Act.
ASCO applauds the House for supporting an increase in federal research funding and encourages the Senate to move swiftly to pass an appropriations bill that continues our nation’s increased investment in research.
50th National Cancer Act Anniversary
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the December 1971 signing of the National Cancer Act, which led to the establishment of the National Cancer Program and significantly expanded the authorities and responsibilities of NCI. Despite the progress that has been made over the past half-century, cancer remains the nation’s second leading cause of death, and more funding is desperately needed to meet the increasing demand for research grants at the NCI.
Federal Funding Needs in the Wake of COVID-19
The COVID-19 public health emergency has severely impacted America’s research pipeline. Many research laboratories were shut down due to the pandemic, resulting in students and research staff losing both their jobs and valuable research progress. In addition to annual funding for the NIH, emergency supplemental funding is critical to ensure our biomedical research enterprise and clinical trials networks can recover from disruptions caused by COVID-19.
ASCO is urging lawmakers to pass the Research Investment to Spark the Economy (RISE) Act (S. 289/H.R. 869), which would provide emergency funding for federal science agencies and researchers impacted by the pandemic, authorize grants to support research on the effects of COVID-19, and provide funding to support research that was paused during the pandemic. Urge your lawmakers to cosponsor the RISE Act at https://asco.quorum.us/campaign/30858/.
Additional Resources
ASCO submits letters, testimonies, and documents frequently to officials throughout the year in support of federally funded biomedical research:
- June 15, 2021: Testimony to the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee regarding NIH funding levels for FY 2022.
- May 21, 2021: Testimony to the House of Representatives Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee; submitted in advance of the subcommittee’s hearing on the Administration’s FY 2022 Budget Request for the NIH.
- December 8, 2020: Letter to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Cancer Care & Research Priorities.
Join the ASCO ACT Network at https://asco.quorum.us/sign_in/ to stay up to date on available advocacy opportunities.
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