Advocacy Alert: Oppose Proposed Cuts to NIH and NSF

The process of crafting the Fiscal Year 2027 federal budget has officially begun. On April 3, 2026, the White House released its proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2027. Within thousands of pages of charts and graphs, the proposal calls for a 12% cut to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and a 54% reduction to the National Science Foundation (NSF).

The White House budget proposal is just that—a proposal. The House and Senate Budget and Appropriations Committees are now holding hearings to examine the details of each federal agency’s proposed budget. They will soon begin crafting the budget that will ultimately become law.

It is important, therefore, that they hear from you about what these proposed cuts would mean for your research. Congress may focus on this year’s reductions, so you should explain the consequences of a 12% funding cut on top of the grant terminations, program eliminations, and reductions in research positions that occurred last year.

1. Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Representative or Senators’ offices.
2. Introduce yourself by name and address to verify that you are a constituent. If you reach voicemail, leave a message with the same details.
3. Be brief but clear. Describe your research field, your funding source (NIH or NSF), and how your work benefits—or could benefit—the public, especially any medical or economic impact.
4. Make the ask: urge them to do all they can to protect NIH and NSF funding and oppose any harmful structural changes.
5. Be respectful and courteous. Offer to provide follow-up information if needed.

Sample script for your call

“Hello, my name is [Dr. Lynn Wilson], and I live on [Prospect Street] in [North Kingstown, Rhode Island]. I am a [biomedical researcher at State University], where I study [brief description of your research]. My work is funded by the [NIH/NSF] and is vital because [brief explanation of public benefit]. Unfortunately, actions taken last year have led to [job losses, grant terminations, or halted research] and have already had a significant impact on my lab/department.

I am calling to urge the Senator/Representative to protect the NIH and NSF from a second year of drastic funding cuts, as proposed by the White House.

These agencies—and the science they enable—have already suffered serious setbacks. Additional cuts would have a devastating impact on life science research across the country, as well as on state and local economies.

Please feel free to contact me if I can provide further information.”