On February 14, the FY2007 Continuing Appropriations Resolution was passed by the Senate; it was signed into law by President Bush on February 15. NIH received a total appropriation of $28.9 billion, an increase of $619.5 million (2 percent) more than the FY2006 appropriation. A large portion of this increase - $483 million - goes toward funding the NIH common fund.

Although NCI will continue to be funded at the FY2006 level of $4.79 billion, NCI and other institutes will not be required to contribute to the common fund this year, which could translate into approximately $42.8 million for NCI.

For a more in-depth look at the NCI budget process and how it affects the National Cancer Program, please see the recent article ¹ by NCI Director Dr. John E. Niederhuber, "A Look Inside the National Cancer Institute Budget Process: Implications for 2007 and Beyond."