WASHINGTON, D.C., July 30, 2019 - The National Institutes of Health (NIH) released its annual professional judgement budget requesting a $354 million increase for Alzheimer's and dementia research funding for fiscal year 2021. The budget request was released during a meeting of the Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Research, Care and Services.
"We know that investing in scientific research leads to progress in the understanding, prevention and treatment of diseases," said Robert Egge, Alzheimer's Association Chief Public Policy Officer and Alzheimer's Impact Movement (AIM) Executive Director. "The increase in funding since the passage of the National Alzheimer's Project Act is spurring momentum in the field. Only with a continued commitment will we accelerate progress toward effective treatments and a cure."
This is the fifth professional judgement budget for Alzheimer's released by the NIH. In 2014, the Alzheimer's Association and AIM secured support for the passage of the Alzheimer's Accountability Act, which ensures Congress hears directly from NIH scientists on the resources needed to address the Alzheimer's crisis. Alzheimer's is only the third disease to have a professional judgement budget.
Alzheimer's research funding has more than quadrupled since 2012 with annual funding at $2.4 billion in 2019. As a result of this historic investment, researchers are advancing the understanding of the disease, exploring biomarkers, discovering potential ways to reduce risk, and are working to move promising therapeutic candidates and diagnostic tools forward into clinical testing.
"Due to recent advances as well as lessons learned from recent clinical trial failures, we are indeed gaining traction toward addressing this public health crisis, one that has profoundly affected our Nation as well as the global community," wrote NIH Director, Dr. Francis Collins in the budget. "With expanded FY 2021 funding, NIH will build on the current momentum by continuing to support a broad range of treatment targets."
More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's and an estimated 16 million are providing unpaid care. The most expensive disease in the country, Alzheimer's will cost $290 billion in 2019.
Alzheimer's Association ®
The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's. For more information, visit alz.org.
