The Honorable Don Beyer
1119 Longworth House Office Building
House of Representatives
Washington D.C. 20515
(202) 225-4376
Don.Beyer@mail.house.gov

Dear Representative Don Beyer:

SAMPLE LETTER

As a scientist and a constituent, I urge you to support an increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) bringing funding to at least $XX billion for FY(target year). NIH research is the foundation for future medical breakthroughs, which will save lives and money. The federal government’s investment in research must be sustained in order to translate today’s scientific findings into tomorrow’s bedside treatments. NIH funding supports my research on <insert a summary of your research and the potential benefits of this research>. Recent discoveries, such as those listed below, are a direct result of robust funding for the NIH.

  • The death rate for heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States, has dropped 60% since 1940.
  • Through research to better understand the underlying molecular causes of cancer, NIH research has cut cancer deaths. In 2007, for the first time in history, the number of cancer deaths in the United States decreased.
  • In the 1950’s, 1 in 5 people died within 20 years of diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. Today, those with type 1 diabetes are living longer and healthier lives.
  • The discovery of a type of antibody that neutralizes and protects against several subtypes of the flu. This super-antibody may be the key to protecting millions from influenza breakouts. 

The money invested in NIH is redistributed to communities across the nation, including our district/state to create jobs and stimulates the local economy. In my lab we have <insert number of current and/or former technicians, postdocs and students> who are learning the technical and intellectual skills required for the high-paying jobs of the future. A federal investment in basic research is an investment in the heath and economic future of our nation. Please make medical and health research a higher priority for our nation by continuing the investment in the NIH. Thank you for your consideration and please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss this issue further.

Sincerely,