Advancing Vision Research: ARVO Advocacy Day 2025 Unites Scientists, Patients, and Future Leaders on Capitol Hill
On February 7, 2025, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) held its annual Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., in collaboration and support from the National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (NAEVR). This year’s event saw a record participation of over 70 advocates, including ARVO […]
Legislative Update on FY25 Appropriations and Budget Negotiations
NAEVR Research Funding Priorities FY25: At least level funding of $896.55M for NEI, and at least $48.8B for NIH Maintain the NEI as a dedicated institute within NIH At least $20M for the Vision Research Program within the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) FY26: At least $1B for NEI, and at least $50B for NIH Maintain […]
Statement from Dan Ignaszewski, Executive Director of the National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research, on NEI Funding Amid Grant Freezes and Indirect Cuts
Statement from Dan Ignaszewski, Executive Director of the National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research, on NEI Funding Amid Grant Freezes and Indirect Cuts February 12, 2025 The National Eye Institute (NEI) plays a vital role in advancing vision research, supporting groundbreaking discoveries that prevent blindness, improve treatments, and enhance the quality of life for […]
Vision Community Unites in Official Letter to Congress Opposing NEI Consolidation Proposal
Vision Stakeholders Urge Congress to Maintain the Independence of the National Eye Institute to Preserve Critical Advancements in Vision Research NAEVR/AEVR, along with leaders within the vision community have come together in a formal letter to Congress, expressing significant concern over a recent House proposal to consolidate the National Eye Institute (NEI) into a […]
Legislative Update FY24: Advocating for Vision Research Funding
Last week marked Chairman Tom Cole's (R-OK) first full week as Chair of the House Appropriations Committee after Chair Kay Granger (R-TX) unexpectedly stepped down. Since assuming the chairmanship, he has already restructured several Appropriations subcommittees (with more changes expected) and commenced work on the FY25 funding process. Chairman Cole has been a long-time supporter […]
Congress Passes FY24 Appropriations Bills with Level Funding for NEI and DOD VRP
Last week, Congress passed, and the President signed the final appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) funding, providing level funding for critical vision research programs, including the National Eye Institute (NEI) and the Department of Defense's (DOD) Vision Research Program (VRP) within the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP). Commenting on the FY24 appropriations, […]
ARVO Advocates Urge Congressional Action on FY24 NEI Appropriations and FY25 Funding Increase
ARVO's Advocacy Day Participants On January 26, ARVO’s Annual Meeting Planning Committee (AMPC) held its Capitol Hill Advocacy Day, while Congress finalizes FY24 appropriations bills for the federal government, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Eye Institute (NEI). Currently, operating under a Continuing Resolution (CR), the federal government maintains spending at last […]
Congress Passes Third Fiscal Year 2024 Continuing Resolution
On January 18, the Senate passed a Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Continuing Resolution (CR) that keeps the government funded through early March, with the hope that Congress can finalize FY2024 funding by that date. The House of Representatives passed the legislation later that same day, and President Biden was expected to sign the bill before the […]
Congress Passes New “Laddered” Continuing Resolution in Advance of November 17 deadline
On November 15, the Senate passed an “innovative laddered” Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Continuing Resolution (CR) that keeps the government operating past the expiration of the current CR on November 17. The measure now heads to the White House, where President Biden is expected to sign the bill. The Senate passed the CR by a […]
Senate Confirms Monica Bertagnolli as Director of the National Institutes of Health
Today the Senate confirmed Monica Bertagnolli, MD, as Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), two weeks after the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) committee approved her nomination. The vote was 62-36. Dr. Bertagnolli had previously served as Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) before President Biden nominated her to lead […]
