Cancer Research Funding

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Cancer research saves lives and makes more time for survivors.

By investing in the research of today, Congress can help prevent, detect, and treat many of the cancers of tomorrow, creating countless moments for patients and their loved ones in the process.

Every major breakthrough in the fight against cancer has one thing in common: the research was in some way funded by the federal government's National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute.

Increased funding for cancer research lengthens and saves lives and must be a top budget priority for Congress.

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cancer patient with caregiver

Tell Congress: Cancer Research Funding Cuts Have Consequences

A new report found that a 10% cut to research funding could lower the number of new drugs that become available to cancer patients to fight the disease over the next three decades and beyond. A recent proposal calls for cuts that are four times bigger.

Latest Updates

August 18, 2025
National

More than 100 organizations representing millions of patients with serious health conditions and health care professionals sent a letter to Congress expressing their strong support for the Clinical Trial Modernization Act. Introduced in the House of Representatives in May 2025 by Reps. Raul Ruiz (D-CA) and August Pfluger (R-FL), the bipartisan legislation would help remove cost and geographic barriers to patient participation in clinical trials.

August 15, 2025
Alabama

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is bringing the fight against cancer to game day with a Tailgate for Tomorrow’s Cures at 5:30 p.m. before UAB’s kickoff game versus Alabama State on August 28 and invites the community to join. The tailgate

August 12, 2025
Louisiana

Baton Rouge, LA. – Aug 12, 2025 – The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) has placed two new billboards in Baton Rouge to catch Congress’s attention ahead of crucial votes coming up in Washington, D.C. While federal funding is in jeopardy and progress is at stake, ACS

August 5, 2025
Tennessee

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) has placed five new billboards in the Chattanooga area to catch Congress’s attention ahead of crucial votes coming up in Washington, D.C. ACS CAN is calling on Congress to provide robust funding for the National Institutes of Health

Cancer Research Funding Resources

The House Energy and Commerce Committee sought community feedback on potential structural and policy changes at the National Institutes of Health.  ACS CAN offered suggestions related to NCI and the proposal's impacts on cancer research. 

By focusing explicitly on bold, transformative, and applied research projects, ARPA-H holds the potential to quickly bridge the gap between the research lab and the patient. 

In response to a request for information related to the 21st Century Cures 2.0 initiative, ACS CAN provided comments regarding the creation of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H).