Congress Passes FY26 LHHS Appropriations Bill

Congress Passes FY26 LHHS Appropriations Bill

Dear SfN Community,

Like you, I've found myself following the news closely as it relates to funding for and policies that directly affect the biomedical research enterprise. SfN and its leaders remain committed to doing all we can to protect and preserve the scientific enterprise during this challenging period. You can always take action and learn more about the latest actions SfN has taken or participated in on our Advocacy Response Center.

Last week, Congress passed a legislative package that included the Fiscal Year (FY)26 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) appropriations bill, finalizing funding levels and key provisions for NIH. Overall, the package represents a strong bipartisan commitment to investing in research and prioritizing the nation's public health infrastructure. The bill includes the following:

• NIH base budget: $47.2 billion, a $415 million increase over FY25
• BRAIN Initiative: $195 million in scheduled 21st Century Cures Act transfers, plus a $4 million increase above existing base funding, totaling $429 million
• ARPA-H: $1.5 billion, equal to FY25 funding
• National Primate Research Centers (NPRCs): $30 million to remodel, renovate, or construct research facilities for nonhuman primate (NHP) resource infrastructure

Additional provisions in the bill text and accompanying report to protect NIH-funded research include:

• Prohibiting changes to facilities and administrative (F&A) cost reimbursement rates without congressional approval;
• Prohibiting increases in the number of grants funded with multiyear (forward) funding beyond FY25 levels.;
• Requiring that NIH notify Congress before terminating grants, and that grants be paid within five business days;
• Sustaining the current NIH organizational structure; no Institutes or Centers (ICs) are to be eliminated; and
• Requiring NIH to provide a comprehensive written report on the approval process for IC Director hires, including details regarding internal guidance documents that address the appointment, reappointment, assessment, and termination of IC Directors within 60 days.

As referenced above, the Appropriations Committee releases a report alongside the bill. While report language is non-binding, it provides guidance to agencies and signals the committee's priorities. Included in the final LHHS report is the language SfN championed, highlighting the importance of NHPs in biomedical research, particularly for studying neurodegenerative diseases. The language urges NIH to continue awarding funding for meritorious research proposals using these models.

With the passage of the FY26 LHHS bill, SfN looks forward to continued engagement with our members, Congress, and coalition partners on the FY27 appropriations process. NeuroAdvocates were critical in shaping the final FY26 bill and will continue to serve as a critical voice moving forward. To join SfN and fellow NeuroAdvocates in advocating for these key issues, sign up for SfN's Advocacy Network.

Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions.

Best,
Nick Spitzer

SfN President