Trump partially rolls back NIH funding freeze after backlash

The Trump administration has partially lifted its hold on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant review process, allowing some meetings to resume after weeks of delays that stalled funding for 16,000 research proposals worth $1.5 billion. The freeze had prevented NIH from posting notices in the Federal Register, a requirement for grant review meetings, forcing mass cancellations.

While this latest move signals a partial return to normal operations, much of the review process remains on hold, keeping the fate of thousands of pending medical research projects uncertain.

Meanwhile, deep funding cuts imposed by the administration remain in effect, triggering widespread concern among scientists, universities, and research institutions.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the leading U.S. government agency for biomedical and public health research. Established in 1887, it operates under the Department of Health and Human Services. Its main facilities are in Bethesda, Maryland, with additional centers in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park and other locations nationwide.

The NIH conducts research through two key programs: the Intramural Research Program (IRP), which employs thousands of scientists for in-house studies, and the Extramural Research Program, which provides billions in funding to external institutions. The NIH is considered the world’s largest biomedical research organization, supporting breakthroughs in medicine, disease prevention, and public health.

NIH slashes research funding

Earlier in February, the NIH announced a major funding reduction for universities and research centers, limiting reimbursement for indirect costs — which cover lab maintenance, equipment, and administrative expenses — to just 15%. Previously, institutions could charge up to 60% in overhead, meaning the new cap represents billions of dollars in lost funding for research institutions.

The NIH defended the decision, stating the change would save $4 billion annually, ensuring more funds go directly to scientific research. However, scientists and university officials warn that this cut will cripple critical studies on diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.

“This is a surefire way to cripple lifesaving research and innovation,” said Matt Owens, president of the Council on Governmental Relations. Others, like former Harvard Medical School Dean Jeffrey Flier, condemned the policy as deliberate sabotage of biomedical research.

The administration’s move has also drawn praise from Elon Musk, a key Trump advisor leading efforts to trim federal spending, and some Republican lawmakers, who argue that universities have long benefited from excessive government funding.

Consequences of uncertainty

The financial instability caused by the NIH freeze and funding cuts has sent shockwaves through universities, as reported by The Atlantic, forcing them to slash graduate admissions and reconsider future research commitments.

Institutions like the University of Washington, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California have either paused or reduced Ph.D. admissions. Others, like the University of Virginia,

Adding to the crisis, the Trump administration has tightened visa restrictions, making it harder for international students to enroll, further disrupting the pipeline of future researchers.