Federal cancer research funding continued during the Trump administration, but the rate of growth slowed

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), which funds most federal cancer research in the United States, received budget increases during the Trump administration from 2017 to 2021. However, those increases were smaller than in previous years, and some specific cancer research programs saw cuts or flat funding rather than growth.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), the NIH division that focuses specifically on cancer, received approximately $6.7 billion in 2017 and approximately $6.9 billion in 2021. That represents a modest increase, but when adjusted for inflation, the buying power of that money actually decreased slightly over those four years. By comparison, the NCI budget had grown more substantially in the years immediately before 2017.

Key Takeaways

  • The National Cancer Institute received budget increases during 2017–2021, but those increases were smaller than historical growth rates and did not keep pace with inflation.
  • Some specific cancer research areas, including certain infectious disease–related cancers, received reduced funding or flat budgets during this period.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic diverted some NIH resources and attention away from ongoing cancer research in 2020 and 2021.
  • Cancer research funding comes from multiple sources beyond the federal government, including private foundations, pharmaceutical companies, and university research budgets.

How the NIH budget process works

Congress sets the total budget for the NIH each year. The NIH then distributes that money among its 27 institutes and centers, including the National Cancer Institute. The director of the NIH and the director of the NCI make recommendations about how to allocate funds, but Congress has the final say on the overall amount available.

The president's administration submits a budget proposal to Congress each year, but Congress does not have to follow that proposal. During the Trump administration, some budget proposals included cuts to the NIH, but Congress approved increases instead. This meant that what actually happened to cancer research funding depended partly on decisions made by Congress, not only by the administration.

What changed in cancer research funding 2017–2021

The NCI budget grew from roughly $6.7 billion in fiscal year 2017 to roughly $6.9 billion in fiscal year 2021. That is an increase of about $200 million over four years, or roughly 3 percent. Adjusted for inflation, the NCI's purchasing power actually declined slightly during this period.

By contrast, the NCI budget had grown by roughly 5 to 7 percent per year during the Obama administration (2009–2017). The slower growth rate meant fewer new research grants could be funded and less money was available for expanding existing programs.

Some specific research areas saw reductions. Funding for research on infectious disease–related cancers, including cervical cancer and liver cancer, declined in some years. Research on cancer prevention and screening also received relatively flat funding compared to other areas.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer research

In 2020 and 2021, the NIH redirected significant resources toward COVID-19 research and response. This included funding for vaccine development, treatment research, and epidemiological studies. While this was a public health priority, it meant that some ongoing cancer research projects received less attention and fewer new grants were awarded in certain areas.

Many cancer researchers also faced delays in their work because laboratory access was restricted, clinical trials were paused, and staff were redeployed to pandemic response efforts. These operational disruptions affected the pace of cancer research independent of budget changes.

Other sources of cancer research funding

Federal funding through the NIH and NCI is important, but it is not the only source of cancer research money. Private foundations like the American Cancer Society, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute fund significant research. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies invest billions in cancer drug development. Universities and medical centers also use their own budgets to support cancer research.

When federal funding grows slowly, researchers may seek support from these other sources. However, private funding does not always cover the same types of research that federal grants support. Basic science research—the foundational work that does not immediately lead to a specific treatment—is more likely to be funded by federal grants than by private companies.

How research funding affects the pace of discovery

Slower budget growth means fewer new research projects can be started. It also means that researchers spend more time writing grant proposals and less time conducting experiments, because competition for limited funding becomes more intense. When a researcher's grant proposal is rejected, the delay in starting that project can set back progress on a particular cancer type or treatment approach by years.

Funding also affects which researchers can stay in the field. Early-career scientists who cannot secure grants may leave cancer research for other fields or for positions in industry. This can slow the development of new ideas and approaches.

What happened after 2021

The Biden administration, which took office in January 2021, proposed larger increases to the NIH budget. Congress approved increases of roughly 5 to 8 percent per year for fiscal years 2022 and 2023, which brought the growth rate closer to historical levels. The NCI budget reached approximately $7.4 billion in fiscal year 2023.

These increases were intended to restore funding growth that had slowed during the previous four years and to address backlogs in cancer research that had accumulated during the pandemic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did cancer research stop during the Trump administration?

No. Cancer research continued at universities, hospitals, and research institutes across the country. Federal funding for cancer research continued as well, though the rate of growth was slower than in previous years. Individual researchers and institutions continued their work, though some projects faced delays or reduced resources.

Why does the federal budget for cancer research matter?

Federal funding through the NIH supports about half of all medical research in the United States. When federal funding grows slowly, fewer new research projects can begin, and researchers spend more time competing for limited money instead of conducting experiments. This can slow progress on developing new treatments and understanding cancer biology.

Can cancer research happen without federal funding?

Yes, but federal funding plays a unique role. Private companies and foundations fund research, but they typically focus on applied research that may lead to a marketable product. Basic science research—the foundational work that underpins all medical advances—relies more heavily on federal grants because it does not have an immediate commercial application.

How much did cancer research funding change under different administrations?

The NCI budget grew roughly 5 to 7 percent per year during the Obama administration (2009–2017), roughly 3 percent per year during the Trump administration (2017–2021), and roughly 5 to 8 percent per year during the Biden administration (2021–present). These figures are approximate and do not account for inflation.

What does the National Cancer Institute actually do with its budget?

The NCI funds research grants to scientists at universities and medical centers, operates its own research laboratories, supports clinical trials, funds cancer prevention and screening programs, and provides information to the public about cancer. Roughly 80 percent of the NCI budget goes to grants awarded to researchers outside the federal government.