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 by NCI Director Dr. John E. Niederhuber, "A Look Inside the National Cancer Institute Budget Process: Implications for 2007 and Beyond."