FY 2004 NIH Funding to Add $1 Billion

House and Senate negotiators have resolved differences over funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in fiscal year (FY) 2004. The agreement calls for NIH to receive $27.98 billion in FY 2004, an increase of $1 billion or 3.7 percent over last year.

The House and Senate are finalizing a large FY 2004 omnibus spending package that includes FY 2004 appropriations for seven annual spending bills. However, because of the scheduled congressional recesses, the House and Senate may not complete action on the $328 billion omnibus measure until January 2004. NIH is currently being funded by a continuing resolution at FY 2003 levels that runs through January 31.

House and Senate negotiators for NIH funding were working with a House-passed measure that included $27.7 billion for NIH, a $682 million or 2.5 percent increase over last year. The Senate version of the bill provided $27.9 billion for NIH, an increase of $1 billion or 3.7 percent.

The Society will continue to provide updates to the membership on the ASH Web site about the progress of the FY 2004 Omnibus Appropriations Legislation.