Rallying for increased investments in the National Institutes of Health

On September 19, 2024, APA Services joined more than 300 researchers, scientists, clinicians, caregivers, students, and patient advocates from approximately 30 states for the Twelfth Annual Rally for Medical Researchopens in new window. In collaboration with other National Institutes of Health (NIH) stakeholders and organizations, APA Services once again sponsored the high-profile science advocacy day to urge Congress to support the highest possible level of funding for NIH in fiscal year (FY) 2025. The medical research advocacy community is recommending at least $51.3 billion in funding.

During meetings with congressional offices, rally participants thanked Congress for its support of NIH and the $17 billion (58%) increase in funding provided to the agency between FY 2016 and FY 2023. They also encouraged members to prioritize funding NIH-supported research by increasing the investment in the agency. Additionally, participants urged the House and Senate leadership to complete work on the FY 2025 spending bills as quickly as possible to avoid the disruptions and delays to science caused by short-term funding agreements known as continuing resolutions. The federal government is currently operating under a continuing resolution until December 20.

Rally participants also spoke to congressional offices about the FY 2025 House Labor, Health and Human Services and Education appropriations bill proposalopens in new window to restructure the NIH and emphasized that any changes to NIH should involve “active engagement” with the scientific community. They also urged Congress to “follow a bipartisan and bicameral process to avoid unnecessary disruptions to the research enterprise and the lifesaving research it supports.” The House bill would authorize an entirely new structure for NIH without hearings, data, or review of the impact on biomedical and behavioral research.

APA members Alex Ophir, PhD, of Cornell University, and Barbara Andersen, PhD, of The Ohio State University, participated on behalf of APA Services. Ophir, a member of APA’s Committee on Animal Research and Ethics, noted that “participating in the Rally for Medical Research was truly fantastic,” and shared how inspiring the other participants from his home state and from around the country were. “Each participant came with different stories and motivations to be there, but all with a single unified message to our lawmakers that unwavering support for the NIH saves and improves lives, strengthens our country, and benefits us all. At a time when politics is so divisive, it was reassuring to see how supportive lawmakers I spoke with from both parties were for continuing to strengthen our research community because disease and mental health has no party.”

Ophir also noted that “it was eye-opening to see how critical it is to let the lawmakers hear from the community and to inform them about the many reasons why this continued support is so crucial to us all—researchers, patients, and concerned citizens alike.” Andersen shared that “it was impressive [that Congressional staff] understood the role of NIH and fostering its mission of being a source of advancing the scientific mission in the U.S.”

Expressing the association’s gratitude for Congressional support for NIH and psychological science, APA Chief Science Officer Mitch Prinstein, PhD, remarked that “investing in the minds of our youth is not just a noble endeavor, but a crucial one. APA Services champions the advancement of youth mental health research and applauds Congress’s recognition of the profound impact of supporting youth mental health research. Support from the National Institutes of Health for this critical research ensures we are not only fostering a healthier future for our children but also fortifying our society against the challenges of tomorrow. We must redouble our efforts to ensure that every young mind has the opportunity to thrive in a world that values mental health as a cornerstone of overall well-being.”

The Rally for Medical Research is organized by the American Association for Cancer Research each fall. APA has participated in the rally since its inception.

For more information, contact Angela L. Sharpe.