COMs: Submit Your FY24 Congressional Earmark Requests

The fiscal year (FY) 2024 appropriations process is underway, and colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs) are encouraged to consider submitting a Community Project Funding (CPF)/Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) request. These requests (aka earmarks) can support healthcare, education, economic development and other allowable investments subject to the guidelines provided by the House and Senate.

Importantly, while the Senate Appropriations Committee has no restrictions on categories of CDS project requests, the House is not allowing CPF requests for certain Subcommittees, including House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education. Further, some individual Members of Congress will not be accepting requests. COMs will need to check with their House and Senate members for participation and eligibility requirements and deadlines.

• Only non-profit entities, public institutions and state, local and tribal governments are eligible to participate. A submitted request does not guarantee funding.
• Don’t leave potential funding untouched! While a few COMs received funding in FY23, an analysis showed that more than $1.7 billion, across more than 800 projects, was distributed to 540 institutions of higher education, university hospitals and medical centers, though this level of funding may be reduced in FY24.
• View a complete list of FY23 funded projects, and learn more about the breadth of projects specific to medical institutions.
• For a more comprehensive analysis of the earmark process, read AACOM’s summary.