brought on by inflation. The previous stagnant period for NCI funding prior to FY 2015 prevented the institute from keeping up with the then 3.7-3.8 percent biomedical inflation rate (752); the current biomedical inflation rate is 4.5 percent (753). Successfully funded applications dropped below 20 percent during this period (see Figure 23, p. 155), deterring young investigators from entering the field and decreasing America’s competitive stance against other global biomedical research institutions. Keeping these applications funded is essential to combating cancer and spurring future discoveries (see Research: Driving Progress Against Cancer, p. 12). With so many scientific opportunities available to make progress against cancer and other diseases, it is imperative that our elected leaders continue to provide robust, sustained, and predictable funding increases for medical research and cancer prevention at NIH, NCI, CDC, and FDA. The Senate Committee on Appropriations Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and the Vice Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) remain steadfast in their bipartisan commitment to medical research, as do many members of the Senate. However, some House Republicans are demanding that federal budget cuts must go even deeper than what President Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy agreed to in the recent bipartisan debt limit compromise that limited overall federal spending for the next two fiscal years. This is creating a contentious budget environment in the House of Representatives that will further complicate efforts to secure a funding increase for NIH and NCI in FY 2024. A Diverse Cancer Research and Care Workforce Drives Innovation To realize the full potential of the medical research enterprise, research institutions must be proactive in recruiting, supporting, and retaining a cancer research and care workforce that reflects the diversity of our society. Collaborative and intentional efforts are needed to train and support the current and next generations of cancer researchers throughout their career paths to prevent and cure all cancers. Within the cancer research and care workforce, early-career researchers invigorate progress against cancers as they bring innovative ideas and new questions. NIH and NCI play an important role in fostering the career development of young researchers to become the scientific and clinical leaders of the future. More specifically, NCI has taken steps to support early-stage, tenure-track research faculty. For example, NCI has created several programs and policies to help establish independent laboratories including: • Setting a payline in the 17th percentile for “early-stage investigators” (researchers within 10 years of completing their terminal degree) (754); NIH Funding: Continuing the Momentum of Robust Increases The National Institutes of Health (NIH) appropriations from 2005 to 2022 have steadily closed the gap between appropriated funds and projected costs to conduct research, as illustrated by Biomedical Research and Development Price Index (BRDPI), shown in blue. Continued bipartisan efforts are urgently needed to prevent stagnant funding and ensure a continued investment in lifesaving cancer research. Source: (753). FIGURE 22 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 FUNDING (IN BILLIONS OF DOLLARS) Appropriated Funds BRDPI-adjusted 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 AACR Cancer Progress Report 2023 154 Advancing the Future of Cancer Research and Patient Care Through the Adoption of Evidence-Based Policies
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