NCI Director Dr. W. Kimryn Rathmell Discusses NCI’s Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriation from Congress
NCI Director Dr. W. Kimryn Rathmell discusses NCI’s fiscal year 2024 appropriation from Congress, which increases the base budget but also reflects the end of dedicated funding for the Cancer MoonshotSM. The budget allows NCI to prioritize funding for new grants—particularly to early-stage investigators, training mechanisms, and Cancer Centers—while limiting the impact on continuing grants.
After a series of continuing resolutions that stretched nearly halfway through the fiscal year, late last month Congress completed the fiscal year 2024 (FY24) appropriations process, passing the second and final batch of bills that included funding for the National Institutes of Health and NCI. President Biden signed the legislation into law on March 23, providing funding through September 30, 2024. The final appropriation provides NCI with a clear financial picture for the balance of the fiscal year and enables them to set funding policies for NCI’s grants and cooperative agreements.
The final funding bill, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (H.R. 2882), provides NCI with a total appropriation of $7.22 billion. This is $96 million less than NCI’s FY23 total enacted budget, which included funding for the 7th and final year of the Cancer MoonshotSM through the 21st Century Cures Act, but an increase of $120 million compared with the base budget for FY23. Despite strict budget caps imposed by the 2023 Fiscal Responsibility Act, the increase to NCI’s base budget is notable and indicates continued support for cancer research.
Dr. Rathmell, who has been in the NCI director position for nearly 4 months, emphasized the importance of balancing resource needs across the entire portfolio. The FY24 funding policies prioritize funding for new grant awards, particularly to early-stage investigators, support for training, and funding for Cancer Centers. The payline for competing R01 and R21 grants has been set at the 10th percentile, an improvement from the interim level of the 9th percentile.
While the fiscal challenges remain, Dr. Rathmell remains optimistic about the scientific opportunities ahead. The National Cancer Plan, released a year ago, has proven to be a valuable tool for the entire cancer community. With the funding provided by Congress, NCI is able to continue its mission of advancing cancer research and supporting the next generation of researchers.
In conclusion, NCI’s FY24 appropriation from Congress increases the base budget and allows for prioritization of funding for new grants, early-stage investigators, training mechanisms, and Cancer Centers. Despite the end of dedicated funding for the Cancer Moonshot, NCI remains committed to supporting innovative research in the fight against cancer.