NIDA director Volkow gets candid on addiction in Bhattacharya’s podcast

The Directors: Gary Schwartz and Ramon Parsons on the best of times (for science), the worst of times (for funding)
Cancer centers fund small grants to boost morale amid low paylines

As NCI paylines drop to 4%, cancer centers are tapping into their institutional funds to provide “bridge funding,” typically in $50,000 to $100,000 increments, to enable investigators to keep their labs open until better times return—next year God willing.

January 30, 2026

Vol.52 No.04

By Paul Goldberg and Claire Marie Porter

Cancer Policy

NIH suspends new embryonic stem cell line submissions

NIH is suspending the addition of new human embryonic stem cell lines to the Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry, all while looking for alternatives. The agency also issued a request for information on “emerging biotechnologies to reduce or potentially replace remaining research reliance on human embryonic stem cells.”

Spending bill passed by the House gives NIH $415M raise, NCI gets $128M
Legislation caps proportion of NIH grants to receive multiyear funding; indirect costs remain untouched

The U.S. House of Representatives Jan. 22 passed a three-bill minibus package that is expected to be the grand finale of the drama of the fiscal year 2026 appropriations process. The package, which funds the HHS as well as the departments of Defense, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Labor, and Education, gives NIH and NCI modest raises over FY25, and nullifies several aggressive cuts the White House had proposed for NIH.

Fifth time’s a charm? Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act is included in FY26 spending bill

Sometime next week, the Senate is expected to vote on a legislative package that would determine the fiscal year 2026 spending levels for much of the federal government. xxx:moreReaders of The Cancer Letter may be breathing a sigh of relief that NIH seems like

NIH ends fetal tissue research—again

NIH will no longer fund scientific research that uses human fetal tissue from elective abortions, a practice that has contributed to the study of cancer, the development of vaccines, and the treatment of other diseases.

NIH agrees to review hundreds of denied or shelved grant applications

Last year, the Trump administration began dismantling, RIFing, and stamping out programs and staff deemed ideological or politically motivated, halting application processes, and stripping funding opportunities.

January 09, 2026

Vol.52 No.1

By Claire Marie Porter

NIDA director Volkow gets candid on addiction in Bhattacharya’s podcast

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

The Directors: Gary Schwartz and Ramon Parsons on the best of times (for science), the worst of times (for funding)
Cancer centers fund small grants to boost morale amid low paylines

NIH suspends new embryonic stem cell line submissions

Spending bill passed by the House gives NIH $415M raise, NCI gets $128M
Legislation caps proportion of NIH grants to receive multiyear funding; indirect costs remain untouched

Fifth time’s a charm? Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act is included in FY26 spending bill

NIH ends fetal tissue research—again

NIH agrees to review hundreds of denied or shelved grant applications

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NIDA director Volkow gets candid on addiction in Bhattacharya’s podcast

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

The Directors: Gary Schwartz and Ramon Parsons on the best of times (for science), the worst of times (for funding)Cancer centers fund small grants to boost morale amid low paylines

NIH suspends new embryonic stem cell line submissions

Spending bill passed by the House gives NIH $415M raise, NCI gets $128MLegislation caps proportion of NIH grants to receive multiyear funding; indirect costs remain untouched

Fifth time’s a charm? Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act is included in FY26 spending bill

NIH ends fetal tissue research—again

NIH agrees to review hundreds of denied or shelved grant applications

Never miss an issue!

Login

The Directors: Gary Schwartz and Ramon Parsons on the best of times (for science), the worst of times (for funding)
Cancer centers fund small grants to boost morale amid low paylines

Spending bill passed by the House gives NIH $415M raise, NCI gets $128M
Legislation caps proportion of NIH grants to receive multiyear funding; indirect costs remain untouched