Talking Points

Overall Messages

  • Thank you for your prior support for NIH, NSF, and other research agencies.
  • The COVID-19 outbreak highlighted the benefits of sustained federal investments in research. A vaccine was developed in record time because scientists were able to build on knowledge generated by past investments in NIH and NSF. 
  • Despite recent increases, more funding is needed to address chronic health conditions and future pandemics and support younger scientists.

Discussion of FASEB's Funding Requests

NIH

  • We are extremely grateful for the NIH budget increases over the last 7 years, which have accelerated progress across all areas of biomedical science.
  • FASEB and over 300 other organizations recommended that NIH receive at least $50.924 billion in FY 2024.
  • A $50.924 billion budget would allow NIH to continue creating more opportunities for the next generation of researchers and provide at least a 5% increase across NIH Institutes and Centers, keeping pace with inflation and allowing them to fund new grants.

NSF

  • Despite being the cornerstone of our nation’s scientific enterprise, NSF has not seen a real budget increase in nearly 20 years.
  • FASEB recommends that NSF receive at least $15.7 billion in FY 2024.
  • A $15.7 billion budget would support NSF’s core research and education programs, establish a new early-career fellowship program, fund more high-quality research proposals, and increase NSF’s average award size, and length of award.
  • We recognize that we’re requesting an extremely large increase for NSF. However, our recommendation matches the FY 2024 authorized level in the bipartisan CHIPS & Science Act that Congress passed last year.