BRAIN Act
Sponsored By: Senator Richard Blumenthal
Introduced
Summary
Accelerates brain tumor research and patient care by creating new NIH programs, public outreach, and survivorship pilots to speed therapies, broaden trial access, and improve long-term support.
Show full summary
- Researchers and developers gain dedicated funding and structure through a new Glioblastoma Therapeutics Network and a cellular immunotherapy program. It authorizes $50 million annually for the network and $10 million annually for immunotherapy research.
- Patients and survivors get focused supports via pilot programs for post‑treatment transition, multidisciplinary care, psychosocial services, and secure treatment‑summary tools. Those pilots receive $5 million annually for 2026–2030, and a national awareness campaign gets $10 million total for 2026–2030.
- Providers and the public see transparency and access changes: NIH must publicly report brain tumor biospecimen collections, and the FDA must issue guidance within one year to reduce trial exclusions for brain tumor and rare cancer patients. The awareness work must be culturally and linguistically competent and target underserved and rural communities.
*Authorizes new appropriations for 2026–2030, including $50 million and $10 million annually for major research programs and additional sums for outreach and survivor pilots, increasing federal research and program spending.*
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
More NIH funding for brain tumor research
If enacted, NIH would fund larger, targeted research programs for brain tumors. The bill would authorize $50 million per year for a Glioblastoma Therapeutics Network for 2026–2030. It would also authorize $10 million per year for 2026–2030 for multi‑institutional awards on brain tumor cellular immunotherapy like CAR‑T. NIH would run competitions and could fund lab work and early clinical trials.
National campaign to boost trial access
If enacted, HHS would run a national campaign to teach providers and the public about cancer clinical trials and biomarker testing. The campaign would include written and digital materials, public service announcements, and targeted outreach to high‑risk and rural communities. The bill would authorize $10 million total for 2026–2030 and would also fund demonstration grants to test outreach strategies. HHS would consult providers, nonprofits, schools, and public health departments. The FDA would issue guidance within one year to reduce unnecessary trial exclusions for brain tumor and rare cancer patients.
Pilots to improve brain tumor survivorship
If enacted, NIH could award pilot grants to develop and test survivorship care for adult and pediatric brain tumor survivors. Grants could fund follow‑up care, care coordination, multidisciplinary models, culturally appropriate provider materials, peer support, and secure electronic treatment summaries. The bill would authorize $5 million per year for 2026–2030. Awards should include a mix of small and large sites and rural and urban locations.
New reporting rules for brain samples
If enacted, entities holding NIH‑funded brain tumor biospecimens would need to file reports to NIH. Collections existing at enactment would report within 180 days. New collections would report within 60 days of collection. NIH could publish a searchable website listing collections and contact information. NIH may withhold funding for repeated or egregious reporting violations.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Richard Blumenthal
CT • D
Cosponsors
Mike Rounds
SD • R
Sponsored 4/8/2025
John Reed
RI • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
John Barrasso
WY • R
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Mark Kelly
AZ • D
Sponsored 5/22/2025
Christopher Coons
DE • D
Sponsored 5/22/2025
Chris Van Hollen
MD • D
Sponsored 7/17/2025
Jim Banks
IN • R
Sponsored 9/10/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.govTake It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in