Foundations acquire a critical new role as federal funding for cancer research falters

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

Capitol Hill

After a brief government shutdown, FY26 funding bill is signed into law
NIH gets $415M raise, NCI gets $128M more, CDMRP funding largely restored

On Feb. 3, the House of Representatives passed the Senate Amendment to H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, by a vote of 217 to 214. Later that day, President Donald Trump signed the bill into law, officially ending the brief partial government shutdown that began on Jan. 31.

The soul of oncology: Centering patient stories amid funding saga

Last week’s issue of The Cancer Letter included an obituary that the entire staff at The Cancer Letter had been dreading for years: Abdallah Abou Zahr, an oncologist at Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo, ND, died Jan. 23 of a liposarcoma after a five-year battle with the disease.

February 04, 2026

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

Foundations acquire a critical new role as federal funding for cancer research falters

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

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”

After a brief government shutdown, FY26 funding bill is signed into law
NIH gets $415M raise, NCI gets $128M more, CDMRP funding largely restored

The soul of oncology: Centering patient stories amid funding saga

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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Foundations acquire a critical new role as federal funding for cancer research falters

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

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”

After a brief government shutdown, FY26 funding bill is signed into lawNIH gets $415M raise, NCI gets $128M more, CDMRP funding largely restored

The soul of oncology: Centering patient stories amid funding saga

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

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”

After a brief government shutdown, FY26 funding bill is signed into law
NIH gets $415M raise, NCI gets $128M more, CDMRP funding largely restored

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