FONIA Blog

Senate Confirms Bertagnolli as NIH Director

The Senate voted 62-36 on November 7 to confirm Monica Bertagnolli, MD, as director of the National Institutes of Health. A total of 13 Republicans joined nearly every Democrat and two Independents in voting to approve the nomination, which the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee had advanced two weeks earlier. Dr. Bertagnolli, who officially took office on November 9, will be the 17th person, second woman, and first surgeon to hold the position. “As a physician-scientist for more than 30 years, I have seen the transformative power of NIH research to produce results that save lives, including my own treatment for breast cancer. As NIH director, I look forward to ensuring that NIH continues to be the steward of our nation’s medical research while engaging all people and communities in the research effort that includes informing medical practice that drives equitable access to health care for all,” said Dr. Bertagnolli.

NIH FY 2025 Professional Judgement Budget

At today’s meeting of the Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services, NIA Director Dr. Richard Hodes presented the NIH FY 2025 Professional Judgment Budget, “A New Era: Driving Momentum in Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias Research.” The Professional Judgment Budget narrative outlines examples of prospective research opportunities that could be supported with additional funds in FY 2025. Examples of future research opportunities are organized across six broad scientific categories: Epidemiology/Population Studies Disease Mechanisms Diagnosis, Assessment, & Disease Monitoring Translational Research & Clinical Interventions Dementia Care & Impact of Disease Research Resources The FY 2025 Professional Judgment Budget also emphasizes significant cross-cutting research efforts centered on international studies.

For FY 2025, additional NIH resources needed for new Alzheimer’s and related dementias research are $318 million, which would bring the total FY 2025 NIH resource needs for AD/ADRD research to $4.07 billion.

NIH also released today a companion document, the 2023 NIH Scientific Progress Report, “Advancements Build Momentum: 10 Years of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Research,” which summarizes significant NIH-funded dementia research advances from the last ten years.

NIA’s Office of Legislation, Policy, and International Activities (OLPIA) and Office of Communications and Public Liaison (OCPL) will hold a webinar for stakeholders on Tuesday, August 8, from 1:00—2:00 pm ET to review the FY 2025 Professional Judgment Budget and the 2023 Progress Report, as well as answer any questions you may have. To register, please visit the online registration site.

NIH Hosting Presentation on Professional Judgment Budget for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Research for Fiscal Year 2025

NIA OLPIA will hold the third in a new series of virtual “OLPIA Office Hours” on Tuesday, August 8, from 1:00—2:00 pm ET. Each OLPIA Office Hour will open with a presentation, followed by an office hour-style segment guided by your questions and interests regarding the talk or other topics you may wish to discuss with OLPIA staff.

The August 8^th Office Hour will feature a presentation on the NIH Professional Judgment Budget for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Research for Fiscal Year 2025, also known as the Alzheimer’s Disease “Bypass Budget,” as well as the Alzheimer’s Disease Progress Report. Speakers from OLPIA and NIA’s Office of Communications and Public Liaison (OCPL) will lead the discussion. To register for this session, please visit the online registration site.

FONIA FY 2024 Senate Appropriations Request

Similar to its request of the U.S. House of Representatives, Friends of NIA submitted a request to the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies in April.

Specifically, FoNIA requests:

no less than $50.924 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2024 for base spending at NIH for current institutes and operations, which corresponds with the overall recommendation of the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research;

we ask that NIA, as a component of the NIH, receive a commensurate funding increase (7.3 percent over the FY 23 levels) in FY 2024;
continued funding to support the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) at NIH. However, investment in ARPA-H should not come at the cost of the existing NIH institutes and centers conducting and supporting research on aging;
a minimum increase of $321 million above the final enacted amount for FY 2023 specific to research on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). NIA is the primary federal agency supporting and conducting Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias research.

A copy of the letter is attached.

fonia.fy24senate.let_.final_-1 Download

FONIA FY2024 House Appropriations Request

Friends of NIA requested federal resources continue to be dedicated to sustaining and enhancing timely and promising aging research at NIA and across NIH as part of the FY 2024 House Appropriations process. Specifically, FoNIA requests:

no less than $50.924 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2024 for base spending at NIH for current institutes and operations, which corresponds with the overall recommendation of the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research;

we ask that NIA ,as a component of the NIH, receive a commensurate funding increase (7.3 percent over the FY 23 levels) in FY 2024;
continued funding to support the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) at NIH. However, investment in ARPA-H should not come at the cost of the existing NIH institutes and centers conducting and supporting research on aging;
a minimum increase of $321 million above the final enacted amount for FY 2023 specific to research on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). NIA is the primary federal agency supporting and conducting Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias research.

A copy of the letter is attached.

fonia.fy24house.let_.final_-1 Download