‘We Are on the Doorsteps of Much More Progress’: NCI Needs Nearly $12 Billon in 2026 to Reach for Cancer Moonshot Goals
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is proposing a $2 billion increase over 2025 in its fiscal year (FY) budget for 2026, bringing its total funding requirements to $11.466 billion for 2026, the agency announced (https://www.cancer.gov/research/leading-progress/budget-proposal) in its Professional Judgement Proposal in September 2024.
The report represents “NCI’s assessment of the optimal funding needed to support the National Cancer Program and ultimately help all people live longer, healthier lives,” the agency said. After facing budget caps in FY 2024 and 2025, NCI said it is hopeful that FY 2026 “presents an opportunity for Congress to fully fund cancer research.”
Among NCI’s proposed funding increases are investments in research grants, next-generation cancer workforce training, modernizing and expanding clinical studies infrastructure, and developing new ways to prevent or intercept cancer. NCI specifically identified increases in:
- Cancer biology research ($479 million)
- Cancer detection and diagnosis research ($457 million)
- Cancer prevention research ($338 million)
- Cancer treatment research ($534 million)
- Public health and cancer control research ($175 million)
- Workforce training and infrastructure ($196 million)
Strengthening the cancer workforce is a significant focus for the funding, NCI said. “Strong support for training of the future workforce will ensure that progress against cancer continues and thrives by constantly infusing cancer research with innovative ideas to prevent more cancers, further reduce mortality, and improve outcomes for all.”
NCI Director W. Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, MMHC, introduced the proposal in a special message (https://www.cancer.gov/research/leading-progress/directors-message). “We are on the doorstep of much more progress,” she wrote (https://www.cancer.gov/research/leading-progress/directors-message). “The rapid pace of cancer research discovery and innovation, the availability of powerful technology and infrastructure, and a cadre of talented people provide us with extraordinary opportunities for more lifesaving advancements.
“To achieve its full potential, the cancer research enterprise, known collectively as the National Cancer Program (https://www.cancer.gov/about-nci/overview), must be mobilized to work at full strength—together. That starts with a diverse and innovative workforce empowered to produce the discoveries of tomorrow and reach people affected disproportionately by cancer—including racial and ethnic minority groups and those in rural areas—by addressing access to research and barriers to care.”
Use your powerful voice as an oncology nurse to share your patients’ stories (https://voice.ons.org/advocacy/get-involved-in-onss-health-policy-advocacy) about why a funding increase is needed. Contact your members of Congress (https://www.votervoice.net/ONS/Home) and ask them to support NCI’s FY 2026 funding proposal.