Urging swift passage of appropriations bill that funds NIH; House passes Labor-HHS

APA Services joined 143 organizations, including professional scientific and medical societies, patient advocacy organizations, and other health-focused stakeholders in a letter calling for swift congressional approval (PDF, 40KB)opens in new window of the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) Appropriations bill. The measure safeguards the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and secures at least the Senate-approved $48.7 billion in funding for FY 2026, including $47.2 billion for NIH and $1.5 billion for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). The organizations also expressed appreciation for bipartisan efforts to support NIH and emphasized the urgency of finalizing the appropriations process to provide necessary funding for vital research initiatives. In October 2025, APA Services also joined more than 450 medical research advocates urging Congress to lock in at least $47.2 billion for NIH in FY 2026.

Specifically, the groups urged Congress to retain the Senate report language that affirms the current model for facilities and administrative (F&A) costs, avoiding “arbitrary caps” that could undermine research integrity. Additionally, they encouraged Congress to work with stakeholders to assess the full costs of research across diverse settings, including urban, rural, and ecological environments, as part of any future consideration of alternative funding models. The letter also urged Congress to limit multiyear grants to levels consistent with FY 2024 to protect early-career researchers and ensure oversight of ongoing projects.

On January 19, the House and Senate Appropriations committees released the FY 2026 Labor-HHS bill as part of a four-bill minibus/package. The bipartisan, bicameral, funding package reflects APA Services’ advocacy throughout the year to support programs that train the behavioral health workforce, advance scientific research, and promote equitable access to care and education.

The measure increases the NIH budget by $415 million and above the level in the Senate bill to $47.2 billion in FY 2026. This sum includes funding provided through the 21st Century Cures Act and $1.4 billion in Public Health Service evaluation tap transfers. ARPA-H was flat funded at $1.5 billion. Additionally, the bill includes language APA Services advocated in support of facilities and administration expenses (F&A) (Sec. 224), multiyear funding, and the role of external scientists and stakeholders with appropriate subject matter expertise and familiarity with the relevant institutes and centers (ICs), as part of the agency’s search to fill the current IC director vacancies. Specifically, related to F&A the bill directs NIH to not alter policies on negotiated indirect cost rates as they were in effect in FY 2025; fund as many new awards as possible based on merit and to report out on research funded by the multiyear model and to brief the Committees no less than monthly on the status of grant announcements.

The measure also includes funding for the Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (brain) initiative, providing $195 million for the National Institutes of Mental Health and the National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stroke, including a $2 million increase for each institute. APA Services in collaboration with members of the American Brain Coalition, urged Congress to maintain or exceed the Senate-proposed funding level.

Congress has 10 days to pass the package before federal funding lapses for programs included in the minibus. On January 22, the House passed the Labor-HHS bill as part of a three-bill minibus, H.R. 7148, including the Department of Defense and Transportation HUD funding measures by a vote of 341–88. The Senate is expected to consider the four-bill minibus with the inclusion of the Department of Homeland Security (HR. 7147). In addition to a two-package the House passed earlier funding the Departments of State and Treasury, to avoid a partial government shutdown for the programs within the measure when it returns from recess. The current funding for these programs expires on January 30.

APA Services issued an alert on FY 2026 appropriationsopens in new window urging Congress to pass bipartisan appropriations bills that protect critical investments in psychology education, research, and behavioral health services by January 30. Please urge your senators today to work across party lines and pass bipartisan appropriations bills that fully fund programs key to psychology.

For more information, contact Angela L. Sharpe.