What a Trump order to put political appointees in charge of NIH funding would mean for science
Advocates and scientists warn that giving political appointees power over research grants would “upend” U.S. science
President Donald Trump reportedly plans to establish a committee to oversee and potentially veto scientific grants issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the leading health research agency in the United States. The proposed executive order, detailed by the New York Times and Politico, has not yet been officially released.
Scientists and advocates argue that giving political appointees authority over research funding would "upend" U.S. science and innovation leadership, as grants should be evaluated based on scientific merit rather than political ideology, according to Jennifer Jones, director of the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists.
If enacted, the committee would reportedly consist of OMB director Russell Vought and NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya. The NIH, which oversees biomedical research covering critical issues like cancer, Alzheimer's, and heart disease, is currently governed by a rigorous peer review system that involves independent experts reviewing lengthy research proposals.
Critics, including Arthur Caplan, an emeritus professor at New York University Grossman School of Medicine, warn that adding an ideologically driven oversight board would undermine the integrity of the peer review process and lead to political interference in scientific research. Colette Delawalla, founder and CEO of Stand Up for Science, a scientific advocacy organization, contends that the Trump administration's intentions appear to be to exert political control over scientists and researchers.
Throughout his second term, Trump has pursued policies aimed at reducing federal funding for research, particularly in areas like racial health disparities, LGBTQ+ rights, and climate change, while also targeting universities and institutions such as Harvard University. An NIH spokesperson reaffirmed the agency's commitment to its mission of supporting biomedical research for the benefit of American public health.
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