Invitation to Participate in the Rally for Medical Research on Capitol Hill

Medical research advocates will gather Sept. 19, 2019, in Washington, D.C., for the annual Rally for Medical Research Capitol Hill Day to urge Congress to provide robust, sustained, and predictable increases in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in fiscal year 2020 and beyond. Faculty, researchers, staff, and students of Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) are invited to participate.

CUIMC is a supporter of the rally. Federal funding for medical research is critical for the health and well-being of our country’s people, economic security, and global leadership standing. Thanks to strong advocacy, Congress last year provided a significant funding increase for the NIH, but challenges remain.

Rally organizers will organize teams and schedule meetings, and participants will team up with other advocates to meet with members of Congress and key staff. Those wishing to participate may register here. Attendees are also invited to a training session and reception for advocates on the evening before the rally and to a kickoff breakfast on the day of the rally. Activities will end early enough for participants to get back to the New York City area that night.

There is no cost to join the rally, but participants must cover their own travel expenses. CUIMC may coordinate transportation and lodging if there is significant interest. 

Because attendance could be considered lobbying, rally participants are not allowed to use government grant funds to pay for any costs associated with the event.

For more information, write to Ross A. Frommer, vice president, Office of Government & Community Affairs, at raf2002@columbia.edu, or call 212-305-4967.