Whither ARPA-H? What can Biden’s agency do that cancer centers can’t?

The FY26 funding package gave NCI a raise, but the institute’s buying power is 18% less than it was two decades ago
Lowy: “We still have percentiles, but we’re not allowed to make awards exclusively on the basis of payline.”

When President Donald Trump on Feb. 3 signed H.R.7148, a package funding most of the federal government through FY26, many in oncology released a long-held sigh of relief.

Team USA’s Julie Letai competes in Milan Olympics speed skating event

Julie Letai, daughter of NCI Director Anthony Letai, finished her heat in 3rd place in the short track speed skating women’s 500m on Day 4 of the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.xxx:moreShe advanced to the quarterfinals and finished 4th in her

February 13, 2026

Vol.52 No.06

NCI

Letai: NCAB’s ad hoc working group plays major role in advising NCI on extramural research
The group replaced the NCI Board of Scientific Advisors

The new ad hoc working group of the National Cancer Advisory Board will play a key role in shaping NCI’s extramural priorities, NCI Director Anthony Letai said at the group’s inaugural meeting Feb. 6.

February 06, 2026

Vol.52 No.05

By Claire Marie Porter

Black History Month Podcast

Black History Month: Otis Brawley shares how lessons learned in West Side Detroit shape his stance on cancer prevention
“Trying to realize how good we actually could be if our system were truly efficient is what Otis is all about”

Growing up in inner-city Detroit, Otis Brawley had a thriving community made up of his parents, Jesuit priests, friends, and neighbors encouraging him that he could do anything he put his mind to.

February 06, 2026

Vol.52 No.05

By Robert A. Winn, Otis W. Brawley and Preston Willett

Podcast The Directors

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

Capitol Hill

FY26 funding package blocked in Senate after ICE shooting of Alex Pretti
New package—likely excluding DHS—may go back to House early next week

An argument can be made that anyone who has attempted to follow the path of spending bills on Capitol Hill over the past ten days should be evaluated for whiplash.

January 30, 2026

Vol.52 No.04

By Jacquelyn Cobb

Whither ARPA-H? What can Biden’s agency do that cancer centers can’t?

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

The FY26 funding package gave NCI a raise, but the institute’s buying power is 18% less than it was two decades ago
Lowy: “We still have percentiles, but we’re not allowed to make awards exclusively on the basis of payline.”

Team USA’s Julie Letai competes in Milan Olympics speed skating event

Letai: NCAB’s ad hoc working group plays major role in advising NCI on extramural research
The group replaced the NCI Board of Scientific Advisors

Black History Month: Otis Brawley shares how lessons learned in West Side Detroit shape his stance on cancer prevention
“Trying to realize how good we actually could be if our system were truly efficient is what Otis is all about”

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

FY26 funding package blocked in Senate after ICE shooting of Alex Pretti
New package—likely excluding DHS—may go back to House early next week

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Whither ARPA-H? What can Biden’s agency do that cancer centers can’t?

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

The FY26 funding package gave NCI a raise, but the institute’s buying power is 18% less than it was two decades agoLowy: “We still have percentiles, but we’re not allowed to make awards exclusively on the basis of payline.”

Team USA’s Julie Letai competes in Milan Olympics speed skating event

Letai: NCAB’s ad hoc working group plays major role in advising NCI on extramural researchThe group replaced the NCI Board of Scientific Advisors

Black History Month: Otis Brawley shares how lessons learned in West Side Detroit shape his stance on cancer prevention“Trying to realize how good we actually could be if our system were truly efficient is what Otis is all about”

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

FY26 funding package blocked in Senate after ICE shooting of Alex PrettiNew package—likely excluding DHS—may go back to House early next week

Never miss an issue!

Login

The FY26 funding package gave NCI a raise, but the institute’s buying power is 18% less than it was two decades ago
Lowy: “We still have percentiles, but we’re not allowed to make awards exclusively on the basis of payline.”

Letai: NCAB’s ad hoc working group plays major role in advising NCI on extramural research
The group replaced the NCI Board of Scientific Advisors

Black History Month: Otis Brawley shares how lessons learned in West Side Detroit shape his stance on cancer prevention
“Trying to realize how good we actually could be if our system were truly efficient is what Otis is all about”

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

FY26 funding package blocked in Senate after ICE shooting of Alex Pretti
New package—likely excluding DHS—may go back to House early next week