The Trump administration has quietly stalled National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding by halting a key step in the review process.
Even more alarming, this action appears to defy a federal judge’s order to keep research funding on track.
The White House Freezes NIH Study Section Meetings
NIH relies on expert panels, known as study sections, to review and approve research grant proposals.
Federal law requires the government to announce these meetings at least 15 days in advance through the Federal Register.
However, the Trump administration has stopped these announcements, effectively freezing the entire approval process.
A leaked internal email from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) revealed that NIH officials received direct orders to halt all Federal Register submissions.
Without these crucial meetings, new research grants cannot move forward, leaving scientists in limbo.
A Federal Judge Ordered Funding to Continue—But the Administration Found a Loophole
Last month, Judge John McConnell issued a ruling preventing the government from delaying NIH funding.
His decision required federal agencies to remove any “administrative, operational, or technical hurdles” that might block research grants.
Instead of outright ignoring the court order, the Trump administration sidestepped it.
Officials did not explicitly cancel research funding but instead created a bureaucratic roadblock—by refusing to schedule study section meetings.
Legal experts argue this tactic still violates the judge’s ruling, and the courts may step in with harsher penalties.
Medical Research Stands at a Standstill
The consequences of these delays extend far beyond government offices. Scientists and medical researchers now face an uncertain future as their funding hangs in the balance.
Here’s how the freeze is disrupting the medical field:
- Funding Shortages – For every three-day delay, roughly $1 billion in research funding gets stalled.
- Project Disruptions – Scientists must resubmit proposals and undergo new review processes, wasting months of critical time.
- Risk of Lab Closures – Many research labs rely on continuous funding. If grants remain on hold, some labs could shut down permanently.
A researcher awaiting grant approval voiced their frustration:
“This isn’t about saving money; it’s making everything harder and more expensive. Patients are the ones who will suffer.”
What’s Behind This Move?
Some experts suspect a political motive. Jay Bhattacharya, Trump’s nominee for NIH director, has not yet been confirmed.
By stalling grant approvals, the administration may be waiting until they can install their chosen leadership at NIH—potentially reshaping future funding decisions.
What Happens Next?
The legal battle isn’t over. The court may hold officials in contempt, which could lead to penalties or even jail time for those responsible.
Meanwhile, researchers, patients, and advocacy groups are pushing for transparency, demanding that NIH resume its normal funding process.
The future of lifesaving research now depends on how quickly the courts and Congress respond to this latest bureaucratic blockade.