NABTC Presses for More Funds for NIH and for a Restoration of Funding for the Adult Brain Tumor Consortium

April 22, 2009

President Obama and Congress provided a major boost to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the biomedical researchers who depend on NIH funding by including in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), or stimulus package, more than $10 billion for NIH. This funding includes contruction funds for NIH and construction funds for extramural institutions along with money for biomedical research and comparative effectiveness research. Of the $10 billion total, approximately $8.2 billion will be distributed in grants to extramural researchers.

The NABTC applauds this action, which comes after four years of virtually static funding for NIH. During this period of time, research budgets were cut and new projects were slowed or stalled. Although the stimulus package funding halts that trend, there are limits on the way in which the funds may be spent. The stimulus funds must be spent within two years, which means that long-term research projects are not solid candidates for stimulus funding. Previously reviewed but unfunded grants may get a second look and funding through the stimulus package, and current grantees may receive supplements to accelerate and expand their work.

The stimulus package reverses a trend, but sustained progress in restoring funding for promising grants and projects will depend on reliable appropriations. For that reason, the NABTC supports an increase in funding for NIH of 10 percent for fiscal year 2010 (the year that begins on October 1, 2009, and ends on September 30, 2010). This is an aggressive recommendation that fulfills the promise of the stimulus package. Brain tumor advocates believe that the vitality of the brain tumor research effort depends on steady and reliable funding for the whole of NIH.

The NABTC also recommends specific action to restore funding for the Adult Brain Tumor Consortium. The five-year National Cancer Institute (NCI) grant to the Consortium was cut by 40% from the amount that was initially set aside for this multi-institutional group that conducts early phase clinical trials on brain tumor treatments. The dramatic reduction in funding threatens the activities and even the viability of the Adult Brain Tumor Consortium. The NABTC is asking its friends in Congress to write to NCI Director Niederhuber requesting that he reverse the reduction in funding for the Consortium. A draft letter — suitable to be sent from a Member of Congress to Dr. Niederhuber — is contained in the attachment below.

In summary, the NABTC’s research funding agenda is: 1) an increase in overall NIH funding of 10 percent in FY 2019, and 2) restoration of funding for the Adult Brain Tumor Consortium. Advocates should ask their Members of Congress to support a 10 percent NIH increase and to send a letter to NCI Director Niederhuber urging positive action to restore funding for the Adult Brain Tumor Consortium. The advocacy materials outlining the NABTC research funding agenda are attached. nabtc-research-funding-2009

Posted in Action Items, Advocacy Positions, Brain Tumor Action Week, Brain Tumor Research