Inside (the Beltway) Scoop

By: Ellen Kuo
Thursday, August 28, 2025
13th Annual Rally for Medical Research Takes Shape

FASEB President Eric Kelley will attend the 13th annual Rally for Medical Research – an event that was formed to raise awareness of the urgent need for increased investment in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to improve health, spur more progress, inspire more hope, and save more lives. In light of the efforts of the Senate appropriators providing bipartisan support for NIH and its $400 million increase over fiscal year 2025, Kelly issued the following quote for the Rally: “FASEB is thrilled to see strong, bipartisan leadership from Senators Susan Collins and Shelley Moore Capito and the Appropriations Committee in championing the NIH. By rejecting harmful proposals and boosting investment in biomedical research, they are paving the way for discoveries that will keep the United States at the forefront of science. Our 110,000 researchers call on all members of Congress to keep the momentum going by keeping our engine of medical discovery vibrant, allowing the transformation of taxpayer investment into lifesaving treatments, scientific breakthroughs, and a healthier future for all.” 

However, we need your support to message the U.S. House, which has yet to consider the funding level for NIH. Take action now by sending your message before the House Appropriations Committee returns to consider the bill on September 9. On August 8, FASEB issued a statement expressing appreciation to the Senate Appropriations Committee for providing the $400 million increase for NIH.

Every September, the Rally brings together a broad coalition of groups representing the medical research advocacy community to meet with House and Senate offices in Washington, D.C., to urge members of Congress to make funding for the NIH a national priority. The goal is to have meetings scheduled with all 535 members of Congress. 

As a sponsor, FASEB is committed to the effort along with others who will gather on September 17 for training and a reception with VIPs from NIH and Congress. To learn more about how to participate and share your medical research story with the Rally, please visit this site. There is no registration fee, but travel and hotel costs are the responsibility of the participant. For this year’s Rally, FASEB has provided travel awards to advocates from its member societies. On September 18, follow the Rally’s activities on X using the hashtags #RallyMedRes and #FundNIH. Organizers are also planning to purchase a two-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal that will run on Tuesday, September 16, to emphasize the importance of robust annual funding increases for NIH, as well as highlight the nearly 400 organizations (partners).