The Trump administration has halted a key step in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant funding process, potentially violating a federal court order that explicitly forbade such actions. The move has effectively stalled the review of research funding applications, putting billions of dollars in grants on hold and disrupting critical medical studies across the country.
Funding Freeze Disrupts Medical Research
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has instructed the NIH to indefinitely pause submissions to the Federal Register, a mandatory step for scheduling peer review panels that assess grant proposals, according to internal NIH communications.
These panels, known as study sections, must be publicly announced at least 15 days before convening.
According to Jeremy Berg, a former NIH official, study sections play a fundamental role in the grant review process, ensuring that funding is allocated based on scientific merit.
Without these meetings, the approval of research grants covering areas such as cancer, heart disease, and drug development is indefinitely delayed.
Several scientists scheduled to participate in study sections were informed at the last minute that their meetings had been cancelled, despite being required by law to appear on the Federal Register.
One researcher told The Guardian that the cancellations were so abrupt that they only discovered the issue while checking in for their flights to Washington, D.C.
The delay could have serious consequences for laboratories relying on federal grants. Carole LaBonne, a Northwestern University biologist, warned that without timely funding, some labs might be forced to shut down.
Another researcher described the situation as a “logistical nightmare”, noting that rescheduling study sections would require scientists to revisit and reassess applications, consuming valuable time that could have been spent on research.
Possible Violation of Court Order
The funding halt may directly contravene a recent federal ruling. Judge John McConnell had previously issued a temporary restraining order preventing the administration from pausing federal funding, following evidence that such actions were taking place despite the court’s intervention.
According to Samuel Bagenstos, a former HHS general counsel, the judge’s order required the NIH to clear any administrative hurdles that could delay funding. However, by preventing study sections from being scheduled, the administration has effectively circumvented the ruling while technically maintaining that funding has not been halted.
Bagenstos suggested that if the administration continues to defy court orders, judges could issue more targeted directives or even hold responsible officials in civil contempt of court, which could result in penalties or even jail time.
