Advocacy for NIH Funding as Budget Discussions Begin

As of the time of this article’s publication, Congress has not yet finalized a spending bill for the current fiscal year (FY 2026) to allocate funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This uncertainty is affecting the NIH's capability to grant funding, which consequently impacts the work of our member scientists. The Trump administration is expected to release its budget proposal for FY 2027 soon, marking the start of next year’s budget discussions. Given the critical stakes for both this fiscal year and the upcoming one, we have intensified our advocacy for medical research, engaging our members to illustrate to policymakers the importance of substantial NIH funding for scientists, patients, and the overall health of the nation.

In January, the Endocrine Society took a leading role by initiating an organizational sign-on letter directed at Congressional leaders, urging them to finalize the full-year appropriations bill for FY 2026 with an increase in NIH funding. Furthermore, the letter emphasized the necessity for Congress to safeguard the NIH against undue interference in its grant-making processes. This includes a request to prevent the administration from enforcing arbitrary limits on negotiated facilities and administrative cost rates. Additionally, we sought to minimize the immediate effects on grant success rates by refining the number of forward-funded grants to align with levels observed in previous years. Over 100 research, medical professional, and patient advocacy organizations supported this letter, showcasing the wide-ranging backing for NIH funding and the Endocrine Society’s initiative to unite the community.

Amidst the budget negotiations for FY 2027, the Endocrine Society has scheduled a virtual Hill Day on March 13, where our member scientists will connect with their Congressional representatives. This initiative aims to highlight priority areas for funding as lawmakers determine their focus for next year’s budget. Reflecting on the past year, it is evident that success in these efforts requires collective action and vocal support from our members. While the Endocrine Society organizes an annual March Hill Day advocating for research funding by facilitating member visits to Washington, this year we are enhancing our outreach to Congress through a virtual Researcher Hill Day. This approach ensures greater participation among our members, enabling more meetings with lawmakers via Zoom.

During these meetings, participants will have the opportunity to advocate for increased NIH funding and share personal narratives demonstrating how endocrine research positively influences their respective districts and states. For those members interested in participating, the Society will arrange a preparatory training call, provide relevant materials, and coordinate the meetings.

It is crucial for all members to get involved! As we reflect on 2025, it is clear that our advocacy’s effectiveness hinges on collective action. Members wishing to join the March 13 Researcher Hill Day are encouraged to reach out via email at advocacy@endocrine.org, and a member of our team will respond with further details. Additionally, we invite all Endocrine Society members to actively contribute by sending letters to their Congressional representatives through our online campaign at www.endocrine.org/advocacy/take-action. These personal outreach efforts can significantly impact Congress's decision-making, making this an opportune moment to advocate for NIH support!