In a rare reversal, US NIH reinstates 891 cancelled grants, leaving research teams in disarray
In a major reversal, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has reinstated 891 biomedical research grants that had previously been cancelled. The move follows a federal court order issued by a judge in Boston, prompting the agency to restore funding to projects that had faced abrupt termination.The grants were initially suspended earlier in the year, affecting hundreds of researchers across the country. Many of these scientists had already enrolled participants, hired staff, or committed resources to long-term studies. The sudden reinstatement, while restoring financial support, has introduced new operational challenges for research teams.Researchers face staffing and operational hurdlesOne such researcher, Ethan Moitra of Brown University, was among the first to learn that his grant had been cancelled in early February. His study focused on how the Covid-19 pandemic impacted depression and anxiety levels, particularly within LGBTQ+ populations. At the time of cancellation, he had enrolled 240 participants. Although the grant was reinstated in the current month, the short timeline and loss of staffing have made it difficult to resume the study. Moitra noted that only five weeks of funding remain, and that the original team had since disbanded.Across the country, similar situations have unfolded. Scientists affected by the initial cancellations had been forced to lay off staff, retract job offers, and pause or completely halt research activities. While the reinstatement has brought a temporary reprieve, many projects are struggling to regain momentum due to administrative and staffing breakdowns.Court order prompts NIH to actThe reinstatement of the grants came after a court ruling in Boston, which ordered the NIH to reverse its prior decisions. The ruling affected 891 biomedical research grants, all of which are now back in effect. The NIH has not provided a full statement on the reason for the initial cancellations or the court’s findings.Lingering effects on US research infrastructureAlthough the funding has been restored, the long-term impact on US research programmes remains uncertain. The disruption caused by the grant cancellations has affected ongoing data collection, team structures, and project timelines. Many researchers are now facing compressed schedules, with some left with only a few weeks of funding to complete their studies.The reinstated grants cover a wide range of biomedical topics and were part of ongoing federal research initiatives. The temporary loss of these projects has contributed to wider operational challenges within the US scientific community.TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here.
