As an HIV prevention researcher, I am one of the many HIV/ID researchers who lost National Institutes of Health funding with the new Administration’s initiatives. Over the last seven months, I’ve spent excessive time attempting to salvage and renegotiate research grants — time that would have been better spent actually conducting studies to advance HIV prevention science to end the HIV epidemic.
This year has been like no other for the HIV/ID community, but as we near the end of the federal fiscal year on Sept. 30, we are at a pivotal moment in sustaining funding for medical research. If the 40% cut in NIH funding proposed by the president in his budget comes to pass, or if we face another yearlong continuing resolution in FY 2026, we will certainly lose more ground, and it will be even more difficult to recover in the years ahead.
A new goal post: Medical research is a bipartisan issue
If enacted, the president’s budget would reverse decades of progress in lifesaving HIV and infectious diseases research. But the Senate Appropriations Committee has given us hope and a new goal post. With strong bipartisan support (by a 26-to-3 vote) on July 31, the committee rejected the president’s proposal and advanced a Labor, Health and Human Services funding bill that proposes a $400 million increase for NIH and a $30 million increase for the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
The senators also clearly heard from their constituents about the serious threats that the Administration’s policies pose to the future of medical research and early-stage investigators — and how much these policies will impede our ability to develop effective cures and treatments for Americans. The Senate LHHS bill would uphold legal and administrative processes and restrict the ability of NIH to implement policy changes, including the proposed 15% cap on administrative and facilities expenses (indirect costs) and consolidating NIH’s institutes and centers.
The bill would also restore funding for HIV vaccine research and training programs, among other programs, and would direct NIH to allow “reimbursements and funding arrangements with research partners abroad for pediatric cancer, rare disease, HIV and infectious diseases research.”
What comes next and what you can do
On Sept. 2, the action turned to the House appropriators, who advanced a bill out of the LHHS subcommittee that would maintain funding for NIH but would eliminate the HIV prevention program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the Ryan White Early Intervention Services program (Part C); Services for Women, Infants, Children and Youth (Part D); the AIDS Education and Training Program, dental and SPNS (Part F); and the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative. See HIVMA’s statement.
The House Appropriations Committee is expected to take up the bill the week of Sept. 8. The House and Senate will then need to reconcile any differences before passing a final FY 2026 funding bill.
Many in the medical research community, including IDSA and HIVMA, are locking arms and raising their collective voice to urge the House, and ultimately Congress, to advance a bipartisan bill that sustains the momentum we have made in making America healthier by investing in NIH. With the growing number of issues competing for congressional attention in September, we all need to be vocal and stand up for research and other federal programs by advocating however and whenever we can.
Flood House and Senate offices with emails and calls
Use the IDSA/HIVMA Take Action center to email your member of Congress to urge them to fully fund federal HIV programs including NIH. Tailor the message to focus on your professional area.
Contact your congressional representative by using the 5 Calls app or by calling (202) 224-3121 and asking to be connected to their office. When you reach the congressional office staff, let them know you are a constituent and an ID/HIV researcher or health care professional. Let them know that you urge your representative to save lives by investing in medical research and HIV prevention at the CDC and fully funding all parts of the Ryan White Program.
Promote “24 Hours to Save AIDS Research”
The livestreamed marathon taking place Sept. 16-17 aims to educate the general public across the United States and around the world on the successes and promise of HIV research for HIV and beyond. IDSA and HIVMA are co-sponsoring the event.
Increase awareness locally
Educate your neighbors and community members on the role that NIH-supported research has played in improving the lives of all Americans. Submit a letter to the editor of your local newspaper to educate your community on how investments in HIV research have saved millions of lives and have led to important discoveries in treating cancer, hepatitis C, cardiovascular disease and more. See Science Home Coming and Research!America LTE guidance.
Securing full funding for NIH in FY 2026 will not be the end of our fight to save medical research funding. We must prepare for the Administration to continue attempts to reduce expenditures across federal programs, including at NIH and beyond. However, without the safeguard of congressionally appropriated funding for NIH and other federal HIV programs, much more will be lost — including decades of progress in ending the HIV epidemic.