NIH ends COVID grants, declaring pandemic over

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has stopped all COVID-19 research grants under a new directive issued this week. The NIH is directed to eliminate grants that don’t align with the current administration’s priorities, stating that these funds are “no longer necessary” now that the pandemic is considered over. This decision affects about 2,500 projects that total $3.8 billion in funding. Some researchers may appeal the cancellation of their grants. The directive has been expanded to include other controversial research topics, such as diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and certain international collaborations. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. noted that the department’s budget and staff have significantly increased, but public health outcomes have not improved. The current administration aims to restore an evidence-based approach to public health through these changes. Before these recent changes, grant cancellations at the NIH were rare. Critics argue that cuts could impact important health research, especially in light of ongoing discussions about long COVID. Further cuts may also affect public health programs, with the possibility of up to $11 billion in funding being reduced. The NIH has pledged to end controversial research practices, but the implications of the new directive remain uncertain for many ongoing projects.