This page offers a variety of resources about the activities of the Friends of the National Institute on Aging.
This letter was presented to NIH Director, Dr. Francis Collins, and NIA Director, Dr. Richard Hodes, on January 12, 2012. It was signed by over 500 scientists nationwide who support a $300 million increase for NIA In Fiscal Year 2013.
January 12, the Friends of NIA Executive Committee representatives presented this updated version of a letter, urging a $300 million increase for NIA in FY 2013.
On November 1, a group of organizations belonging to the Friends of NIA sent President Obama a letter, urging that NIA receive a $300 million increase in Fiscal Year 2013. The timing of this letter was important given the fact that the Office of Management and Budget is preparing the Administration’s FY 13 budget submission, which will be released in February 2012.
Attached is testimony that the Friends of NIA submitted to the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee in May 2011. In it, the Friends recommend NIA receive $1.4 billion, a $300 million increase over Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, in FY Year 2012.
As you may know, on September 21, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved its version of the FY 2012 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Appropriations bill, which recommended NIA receive $1,088,091,000. The report accompanying the bill is posted on the Thomas site at: http://thomas.loc.gov/home/approp/app12.html# (scroll down left side of table until you get to Labor, Health and Human Services).
On September 28, Congressman Rehberg, Chairman of the House Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee released a draft of the subcommittee’s bill. His bill recommends NIA receive $1,129,987,000 in FY 2012. The text of the draft bill is also posted on the Thomas site.
The Friends of NIA signed a letter, dated July 26, 2011, to Congressman Dennis Rehberg (R-MT) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Chairman and Ranking Member, respectively, of the House Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee. The letter (organized by the Coalition to Promote Research (CPR)) urges the leaders of this pivotal House Appropriations subcommittee, which funds the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to “continue to support the competitive scientific merit review process and oppose any legislative language or restrictions that would eliminate funding for specific peer-reviewed research grants supported by the National Institutes of Health.”
This letter was drafted as a result of recent attacks on the NIH peer review process. See these links to learn more about these attacks: http://mail.crosslink.net/Redirect/thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/public-global-health/173621-researchers-defend-nih-grant-process
Information on the recent grants targeted by Traditional Values Coalition is available at: http://mail.crosslink.net/Redirect/www.cossa.org/CPR/2011/NIH_Awards_Highlighted_by_Press.pdf
CPR is collecting signatures and will send the letter to all members of the U.S. House of Representatives between the bill’s committee mark up and floor consideration. If you support the NIH peer review process and are concerned about any attempts members of Congress may pursue to “de-fund” peer reviewed, previously awarded grants, please add your consider signing the letter by contacting Angela Sharpe and Karen Studwell at [email protected].
The letter is posted at: http://www.cossa.org/CPR/CPR_Letter_Supporting_NIH_Peer_Review_7.26.2011.pdf