In response to Senate Appropriations Committee approval of increased funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in fiscal year (FY) 2026, AAI President, Dr. Uli von Andrian, released the following statement:
The American Association of Immunologists (AAI) is delighted that the Senate Appropriations Committee has recognized the critical importance of biomedical research by increasing funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in its fiscal year (FY) 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies spending bill. While this $400 million increase falls short of AAI’s recommended NIH funding level of at least $51.3 billion, the bill represents a strong bipartisan starting point in this year’s appropriations process. Importantly, it also rejects the dramatic NIH cuts and unvetted restructuring included in President Trump’s budget request for FY 2026.
This investment sends a powerful message: the United States remains committed to science, discovery, and progress. At a time when U.S. researchers face profound uncertainty and mounting challenges, robust NIH funding is essential to fuel innovation, protect public health, and support the next generation of scientists.
AAI once again thanks the Senate Appropriations Committee for providing this increase in NIH funding and encourages the House LHHS Appropriations Subcommittee to approve a bill with an even stronger funding increase for NIH when it convenes this fall.