NCI Releases FY 2027 Budget Proposal as New Director Takes Office

Anthony Letai, MD, PhD, was sworn in as the 18th National Cancer Institute (NCI) Director Sept. 29. Dr. Letai brings a distinguished background in oncology and cancer research, having served as professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a medical oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. His work has focused on cell death in cancer, the development of treatments and the identification of biomarkers. Letai will lead the largest funder of cancer research in the world, with a current budget of $7.2 billion.

As he begins his tenure, NCI has released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Annual Plan and Professional Judgment Budget Proposal, requesting $11.5 billion for NCI in FY 2027. The proposal outlines the optimal level of investment needed to capitalize on emerging opportunities in cancer research. The FY 2027 request represents a $4.3 billion increase over NCI’s FY 2025 appropriation and approximately $7 billion more than the FY 2026 President’s budget request.

Key areas of proposed investment include:

• Cancer biology research
  
• Cancer prevention and control
  
• Cancer detection and diagnosis
  
• Cancer treatment research
  
• Training and infrastructure development 

ACR^® has a longstanding relationship with NCI and remains committed to supporting ongoing and future advocacy efforts. For more information or if you have questions, contact Katie Grady, ACR Government Affairs Director.