Dear Chair Collins, Chairman Cole, Vice Chair Murray, and Ranking Member DeLauro:  

Thank you for your bipartisan support for medical research in the FY2026 appropriations bill, including the adoption of the Senate’s restrictions on advance funding of multi-year research grants by the NIH, allowing more opportunities for breakthroughs and cures. As Congress turns to FY2027, we want to partner with you again to build on that momentum and continue to provide funding for the next generation of life-saving research.

We, the undersigned 53 organizations, represent millions of Americans living with chronic and acute diseases – patients, caregivers, and families whose lives depend on improved treatments and the discovery of cures. We write to strongly urge you and your colleagues to continue to champion medical research and fund the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at least $51 billion for fiscal year (FY) 2027.

Nearly every American family is touched by serious, complex and chronic illnesses that are directly impacted and can benefit from continued investment in medical research and treatments such as cancer, heart disease, COPD, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, arthritis, rare genetic disorders, muscular dystrophy, blood disorders, asthma, stroke, autism, inflammatory bowel disease, ALS, cystic fibrosis, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia, multiple sclerosis, HIV, and Parkinson’s.

The American people agree that this progress must be protected and prioritized. 92% of Americans across the political spectrum support basic scientific research [1], and 62% believe the federal government spends too little on medical research [2]. During the FY2026 appropriations process, you delivered on a promise to millions of patients and families to continue to fund federal medical research that delivers treatments, cures, and innovation. You know that patients don’t have time to wait for cures and better treatment.

Thank you for your continued leadership and for prioritizing the health of our country. We look forward to working closely with you and supporting your efforts to ensure that NIH continues to have robust funding for FY2027.

Sincerely,