ACR Support of NIH, ARPA-H Funding in Congressional Testimony

The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) submitted congressional testimony April 2 to the U.S. House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee in support of funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in federal fiscal year (FY) 2026. ACR urged the subcommittee to provide at least $51.3 billion for FY 2026, as well as $1.5 billion for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). The College advocates that ARPA-H funding must be maintained in a separate appropriation, outside of the NIH base budget.

ACR highlighted radiology and imaging advancements made possible by federal investments in the agency. ACR served as a partner in these programs and is poised to be a resource for those still being developed. Examples of the benefits of robust NIH and ARPA-H funding that improved radiology patient care include:

• ARPA-H ImagiNg Data EXchange (INDEX) project (in development by ARPA-H). 
• ARPA-H Biomedical Data Fabric (BDF) Toolbox.
• Tomosynthesis Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial (TMIST).
• NCI-designated central public repository of medical images and associated clinical data from lung cancer screening patients. 

Congress is working through challenges pertaining to appropriations, including those specific to biomedical research efforts. ACR continues to work with partner organizations, joining a letter with more than 500 organizations led by the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research, calling for a funding level that ensures sustained investments. Specifically, the recommendation for NIH represents a $4.222 billion or 9% increase over FY 2025 funding. The ad hoc group shared a question and answer document for the FY 2026 recommendation, providing an overview of the justification for the FY 2026 recommendation and messages about the importance of NIH investment for driving economic growth and securing U.S. global leadership. 

For more information, contact Katie Grady, ACR Government Affairs Director.