Last Friday the Office of Management & Budget released a proposed rule for Federal Financial Assistance (OMB-2026-0034) that will affect federally funded research across federal agencies, including the National Institutes of Health. The proposed rule is alarming in many ways, including allowing a federal agency to cancel a grant at any time; mandating that all grants must be approved by a political appointee at the granting agency; and disallowing publication charges, society membership dues, and conference attendance. Additionally, the proposed rule codifies some of the Administration’s problematic research-related guidelines into regulations. Comments are due July 13.
The Endocrine Society is carefully reviewing the 400+ page proposal and will provide a thorough analysis next week. In the meantime, there is a helpful Substack blog post that provides a summary of the proposed rule.
We plan to submit comments opposing provisions that are not within the Administration’s authority and will work with relevant Society committees on our response. In addition, we will provide Endocrine Society members with a template response to personalize and directions on how to submit. The Society will also advocate that Congress should intervene to prevent implementation. More details to come. The Society has already taken an initial step of sending a letter to the OMB urging an extension of the deadline.
Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions.
This week, the House Labor-HHS (LHHS) Appropriations Subcommittee released its Fiscal Year 2027 (FY 27) bill text, including funding levels for the National Institutes of Health. The bill increases the overall NIH budget by $100 million, with targeted increases for the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), and several other Institutes and Centers. Importantly, no Institute or Center would see its funding cut under the House bill as it now stands. Although less than the cut requested by the White House, the bill would cut funding for the Department of Health & Human Services by 4 percent by eliminating funding for several programs, including the Title X family planning grants and certain research initiatives related to maternal health, HIV/AIDS, gun violence, and climate. The bill would also eliminate the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and does not include funding for Secretary Kennedy’s proposed Administration for a Healthy America (AHA). Early Friday morning The Subcommittee voted and advanced the bill out of its Subcommittee.
The Subcommittee’s more detailed report is expected to be released next week, and we will share additional analysis—along with any implications for endocrine research—as it becomes available. While the prospect of an increase to the NIH budget is promising at this early stage, our advocacy needs to continue as the House level still falls well short of the Endocrine Society’s recommended FY 2027 funding of $51.3 billion, and the Senate has yet to release its version of the bill.
Please take a minute to join our online advocacy campaign to increase funding for NIH. The more Congress hears from constituents about the importance of NIH funding, the more influential our advocacy will be.
The Endocrine Society is advocating to protect our members from new policies that are creating significant challenges to compete and obtain NIH funding. This includes receiving information about Notices of Funding Opportunities and Notices of Awards, multi-year funding, and delays caused by missed study sections and advisory council meetings among other things.
It is critical that Congress hear researcher stories of what is happening, so the Endocrine Society has created an easy way for you to share your story. Please take a few minutes to complete this form about how your research, or your colleagues’ research is or could be disrupted by new operational or policy changes. The Endocrine Society Government and Public Affairs Team will use these stories in our outreach to congressional offices. Please note: information collected through the form will be anonymized to protect your privacy. Alternatively, you are welcome to connect with the Government and Public Affairs team at [email protected] to share your story.
We look forward to seeing you at ENDO 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. During the meeting, please keep an eye out around the convention center for information about our latest campaigns and please stop by the Endocrine Society Booth on the Exhibit Floor to learn about our advocacy activities, share your thoughts about policy issues, and take action.
We rely on your voice to advocate for our policy priorities. Join us to show our strength as a community that cares about endocrinology. Contact your US representatives or European Members of Parliament through our online platform. Take action and make a difference today.
