| Dear FASEB Board, Member Society Volunteer Leaders, and Staff, Staff at FASEB is aware of reporting by the Washington Post and other news outlets regarding a preliminary budget document (also referred to as a "passback") detailing deep cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), that will allegedly be included in the administration's fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget request. FASEB staff received a leaked copy of the document which: - Indicates the proposed FY 2026 program level for NIH would be reduced to $27.31 billion (an approximate $20 billion or 40 percent reduction)
- Is labeled "pre-decisional"
- Restructures NIH, consolidating the existing institutes into eight and eliminating several institutes entirely
- Would implement the previously proposed 15 percent cap on facilities and administration costs
It is important to remember that submission of the administration's budget request to Congress is the first step in the FY 2026 appropriations process. Congress will decide whether to accept or reject the President's request. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees indicated they will begin work on the FY 2026 appropriations bills after receiving the administration's budget request. They have already taken steps to follow "regular order," including seeking stakeholder input (currently underway), allowing Members of Congress to identify their funding priorities, and announcing the intent to hold hearings with cabinet officials. In line with our current practice not to comment on proposals based on rumors, FASEB will not be issuing a statement about the potential cuts to NIH reported in the press over the last 24 hours. FASEB staff have been monitoring developments related to the administration's FY 2026 budget request and are planning multiple advocacy actions which will be discussed during the May 6 Board meeting (and with society public affairs staff at the weekly Friday meetings). In addition, FASEB is hosting a training on "Getting the Word Out in Your Community: Tips for Writing an Op-Ed/LTE" on Thursday, April 24 at 1:00 pm (eastern). The session is open to members of FASEB societies and FASEB society staff. Dr. Katie Wilkinson, the American Physiological Society's representative to the FASEB Science Policy Committee, will offer instruction on how to write an opinion piece from the perspective of a scientist. The training will be recorded. FASEB will share the recording with member societies. Pre-registration is not required. The Zoom link is in the attached calendar appointment or you can join at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83627098048?pwd=BF4px4WIyh0epu7mbdK7KgIOMgN3cz.1 (meeting ID 836 2709 8048; Passcode: 451976). We will keep you posted as more information becomes available. Sincerely, FASEB Office of Public Affairs |