Ad Hoc Medical Research Group NIH Funding Sign On
The Ad Hoc Group Fiscal Year 2026 Recommendation
The 510 undersigned members of the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research, which includes organizations representing patients, scientists, health professionals, research and academic institutions, educators, and industry, recommends at least $51.303 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for fiscal year (FY) 2026, in addition to support for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, which would represent a $4.222 billion or 9.0% increase over the final FY 2025 funding level.
Robust support for medical research makes Americans healthier. Patients across the country -- from urban centers to rural communities -- benefit from medical research supported by the NIH, which serves as the foundation for nearly every preventive intervention, diagnostic, treatment, and cure in practice today. Each year, more than 300,000 researchers across labs and other settings in nearly every congressional district nationwidei,ii conduct research on the most promising strategies to promote patient well-being and overcome existing and emerging health threats, including cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias,
diabetes, Parkinson’s, chronic health conditions, and the full range of other diagnoses that patients, families, and communities face every day. Underfunding NIH will slow the pace of scientific discovery as does imposing other problematic disruptions on the agency, placing the health of patients and communities at increased risk.
In addition to the health benefits to patients that medical research promotes, the federal investment in this lifesaving work also has a multiplier effect in local and regional economies, spurs new industries, enhances the U.S.’s global competitiveness, promotes our national security, establishes viable career paths for the next generation of scientists, and generates additional high-quality jobs in communities nationwide.
As Congress considers funding for the upcoming fiscal year, we note that meaningful annual funding growth for NIH has been a steadfast bipartisan national priority over the last decade and beyond. In a time where China and our other global competitors continue to increase investments in medical research and scientific talent, it is crucial that the United States maintains its leadership on the global stage to deliver breakthrough advances for patients and economic growth for communities across the country.
We urge lawmakers to continue to support patients, discovery, and economic growth, to ensure a funding allocation for the Labor-HHS Subcommittee that allows for the necessary investment in NIH and other agencies that promotes the health and well-being of all Americans, and to work expeditiously to complete FY 2026 appropriations in a timely manner. The health of our nation and millions of patients depends on it.
510 Signatories as of April 7, 2025 (See PDF for full list of signatories)