Published 4/24/2026
Once the president submits a detailed budget request to Congress early in the calendar year, the appropriations process begins to determine federal spending for the year ahead. As fiscal year (FY) 2027 conversations progress, AAOS has been on Capitol Hill advocating for a full restoration of funding for the Peer-Reviewed Orthopaedic Research Program (PRORP).
On Mar. 24, AAOS sent a letter to House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK), Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Defense Subcommittee Chair Ken Calvert (R-CA), and Ranking Member Betty McCollum (D-MN) in support of restoring PRORP funding to its historic level of $30 million. Specifically, the letter emphasizes that PRORP invests in the readiness and resilience of America’s fighting force and ensures those who bear the greatest burden in defense of this nation receive the best possible chance at recovery and return to duty.
As a result of AAOS’ advocacy efforts, 47 House members also signed a Dear Colleague Letter expressing their support for restoring PRORP funding to $30 million. The letter, addressed to Chairman Calvert and Ranking Member McCollum of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, emphasizes the critical importance of this program by highlighting the 355 high-impact and clinically relevant research awards that have advanced treatment and rehabilitation for service members, veterans, and civilians with orthopaedic injuries.
Earlier this year, it was announced that PRORP would receive $20 million in funding for FY26 after being cut the year before. AAOS members sprang into action after hearing about the FY25 cuts by sending letters, sharing personal stories, and participating in key meetings on Capitol Hill with legislators about this critical funding stream for orthopaedic research.