This year, 32 College members from 17 states met with congressional offices to underscore a unified message: strong federal support for substance use and addiction research is essential to improving public health nationwide.
The conversations reflected both urgency and opportunity, highlighting the key priorities CPDD members find foundational in their research, field, and community.
Sustaining Strong Federal Research Funding
CPDD members thanked their Congressional representatives for their resounding support of the FY2026 Labor HHS bill that was just passed.
CPDD also urged lawmakers to support at least $51.03 billion in base funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Fiscal Year 2027, representing a meaningful increase to keep pace with scientific innovation and public health need.
Advocates also called for proportionate growth in funding for the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and inclusion of NIDA-specific language in the FY2027 Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations bill to ensure continued focus on addiction research priorities.
Protecting the Research Infrastructure
CPDD emphasized the importance of preserving current negotiated NIH indirect cost rates and opposing funding caps that would weaken research institutions across the country. Members expressed concern about expanded use of multi-year grant funding mechanisms and supported maintaining guardrails to promote stability and fairness in NIH funding practices.
Supporting Tightly Regulated Animal Research
Nearly every major addiction medication—including treatments for opioid use disorder, nicotine dependence, and alcohol withdrawal—was first identified, validated, or refined in preclinical animal studies. CPDD reinforced the importance of maintaining carefully regulated animal research as a cornerstone of biomedical progress.
Reducing Barriers to Research on Controlled Substances
CPDD highlighted concerns that Schedule I restrictions can limit critical research on opioids, psychedelics, marijuana, synthetic drugs, and related substances. At a time when overdose rates and evolving drug markets demand timely evidence, members stressed the need to address regulatory barriers that slow scientific discovery.
Advancing Research to Address the Overdose Crisis
Advocates encouraged continued investment in the HEAL Initiative, and research focused on preventing and reversing overdoses, particularly those involving fentanyl and related analogs. Discussions also addressed rising stimulant-related overdoses.
Need for New Treatments and Focused Research
The need for new treatment development, alternative clinical trial endpoints for substance use disorders, youth nicotine and e-cigarette research, cannabis research, and emerging interest in psychedelic science. Across each topic, CPDD emphasized rigorous, evidence-based approaches to improving prevention, treatment, and recovery outcomes.
Be Part of the Advocacy Effort
Advocacy Day 2026 demonstrated the strength and geographic reach of CPDD’s membership. When researchers, clinicians, and scientists speak directly with lawmakers, it reinforces the real-world impact of federal research investment in communities across the country.
If you have not yet participated in CPDD’s advocacy efforts, we encourage you to get involved. Whether by joining a future Hill Day, responding to action alerts, or sharing your expertise with policymakers, your voice matters. Together, we can ensure that our science remains visible, valued, and strongly supported.