The US government is proposing to cut the National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget by about 40% for 2026, which would mean a drop from $48 billion to $27.5 billion[3]. Scientists in Democratic constituencies should get back $2.1 billion in canceled grants, while scientists in Republican constituencies only get $62 million[1]. A reduction in funding would result in the loss of more than $46 billion in economic activity, as every dollar invested in NIH research supports $2.56 in economic activity[2]. The proposal includes a 39% cut in funding to the National Oncology Institute, a 38% cut to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and a 42% cut to the National Institute on Aging[2]. Research shows that a billion-dollar drop in NIH grants could lead to eight fewer drugs being approved over a period of three to ten years[3]. The consolidation of NIH's 27 institutes and centers into eight should focus funding on "real science"[3].