News

AACI will bring together cancer center government relations leaders and advocates in Washington, DC for its 2026 Spring Government Relations (GR) Forum and the 2026 AACI/AACR Hill Day, two events focused on advancing federal policies that support cancer research, care, and patients.

Spring 2026 GR Forum

AACI will host the Spring 2026 GR Forum at 12:00 pm eastern time on Wednesday, March 25, at the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Capitol Campus. The forum convenes government relations professionals from AACI member cancer centers to exchange insights and discuss the federal policy issues shaping cancer research and care delivery.

The GR Forum serves as a collaborative space for peer discussion on congressional and administrative developments affecting cancer centers and the patients they serve. Attendees will also have the opportunity to connect informally with colleagues during a happy hour following the meeting.

Registration for the GR Forum is free for AACI cancer center members and sustaining members.

Register Today for the 2026 AACI Spring GR Forum

2026 AACI/AACR Hill Day

Registration is now open for the 2026 Hill Day, hosted jointly by AACI and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). This year's AACI/AACR Hill Day is scheduled for Thursday, May 14.

The annual advocacy event offers cancer center leaders, researchers, and advocates opportunities to meet directly with Members of Congress and their staff to reinforce a shared message: stable, predictable funding for the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute is essential to sustaining progress in cancer research and improving patient outcomes nationwide.

Meetings with congressional offices will be coordinated by Soapbox, an advocacy firm specializing in organizing federal advocacy days. AACI encourages each cancer center to send at least one representative to participate. Institutions may also designate a scientist, administrator, communications professional, government relations staff member, or patient advocate to represent their center.

AACI will reserve a hotel room block at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill and will share reservation details with registered participants. Hill Day attendees are also invited to a reception in the Rayburn Foyer from 6:00-8:00 pm ET on Wednesday, May 13.

Register Today for the 2026 AACI/AACR Hill Day

Hill Day Patient Advocate Scholarships 

To help elevate patient voices on Capitol Hill, AACI will offer patient advocate scholarships in support of the 2026 AACI/AACR Hill Day. Scholarships of up to $1,000 will be available to help offset travel costs and enable patient advocates to participate directly in congressional meetings.

Eligible scholarship recipients include patient advocates with a connection to an AACI member cancer center or AACR, including current or former patients, or a patient’s family member or caregiver. Cancer centers are encouraged to recommend advocates who can share their unique patient perspective with policymakers. Those interested in applying for a patient scholarship may choose "Patient Advocate Scholarship Application" under Registration Type. The registration form will then prompt registrants to provide details on who recommended them for a scholarship and why.

Patient advocate scholarship registrations are due by 5:00 pm ET on Friday, April 3, and cancer centers will be notified of selected recipients by Friday, April 24.

Register Today for a 2026 AACI/AACR Hill Day Patient Advocate Scholarship
 

Nominations Open for the 2026 Cancer Research Ally Award

AACI is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Cancer Research Ally Award, which recognizes two Members of Congress (one Democrat and one Republican) for their leadership and advocacy in support of cancer research. The award will be presented during the 2026 AACI/AACR Hill Day reception, Wednesday, May 13, on Capitol Hill.

Cancer Research Ally Award recipients exemplify bipartisan commitment to robust funding for the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute and to advancing innovative cancer research and high-quality care at the nation’s cancer centers.

The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, March 20. To nominate a Member of Congress or for more information, please email AACI Senior Government Relations Manager Jaren Love. Your nomination should include a brief description of the nominee's work to support cancer research within your state and in your cancer center.

Nominate a Cancer Research Ally