Scientists are normally preoccupied with their research and obtaining funds to perform that research. Funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a major resource to train students and promote innovative biomedical research. Rockefeller University has been fortunate to receive $45 million over a funding period of 4 years and 9 months from the NIH for clinical and translational science.

The current federal budget proposal, if enacted into law, reduces NIH funding by 1.7% over the FY2007 joint funding resolution passed by both the House and Senate. In real world terms, it means a continued erosion of federal research support since the doubling of the NIH budget was completed in 2003. Roughly translated, since the doubling ended, the purchasing power of the NIH has been cut by 12.4%.

• Request an increase in the NIH budget to keep pace with biomedical inflation, and emphasize that cuts have significantly affected the agency’s ability to support cutting-edge research. Federal investment may reduce burgeoning health-care costs through prevention and early treatment of diseases afflicting Americans.
• Ask for aggressive support of NSF grants to train young scientists and mentor teachers. Investment at the front-end will reap long-term benefits for both science and education.
• Convey your message in person by participating in the annual Capitol Hill Day program sponsored by the Congressional Liaison Committee of the JSC. This event takes place annually and is geared toward strengthening communication between scientists and their representatives in Congress.

The Joint Steering Committee for Public Policy (JSCPP) is hosting a Capitol Hill Day on Wednesday, June 20. You are invited to attend this event in which scientists meet with their elected officials on Capitol Hill. The travel award application can be found at the JSCPP website. Please contact Lynn Marquis at for more information.