From NPR · · 2m
Trump NIH Funding Shifts
Trump administration reshapes NIH research funding with delays and AI focus.
In brief
Trump administration reshapes NIH research funding with delays and AI focus. Trump's NIH funding changes cause grant delays, AI funding growth, and cuts to minority health research. Originally reported by NPR.
NIH budget overview
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a $47.5 billion budget with over 80% funding grants for biomedical research.
Trump's funding proposal
Trump proposed a 41% NIH budget cut, or $19.6 billion, for 2026 and restructuring 27 institutes to eight.
Congress response
Congress maintained the NIH budget and institutes, rejecting Trump's proposed cuts and restructuring.
Grant obligation delays
NIH has run 44 days behind the 2021-2024 average pace since Trump's inauguration in 2025.
Grant review black hole
Grants now undergo a 'black hole' review process where they can be stuck for minutes before approval.
Staff reductions
NIH grant staff dropped from 11 specialists to three, causing delays in processing grants.
Grant renewal delays
Grant renewals now average 90 days late, up from 0.7% in 2021-2024 to 3.9% in 2025 and 2.7% in 2026.
AI funding growth
AI research received $468 million in 2025, up from $0 in 2024, and networking and information technology got $368 million.
Minority health cuts
Racial- and ethnic-minority health research funding dropped 29% in 2025 compared to 2024.
Grant title changes
Researchers had to change grant titles to remove words like 'DEI' and 'vaccine hesitancy'.
Lab funding cuts
The Greater Bay Area Cancer Registry funding dropped from $5.4 million in 2024 to $3.7 million in 2026.
Academic brain drain
More students are choosing industry over academia due to funding instability and stress.
Unified funding strategy
NIH's unified funding strategy prioritizes AI research and cuts DEI-focused grants.
Political oversight
Trump officials claim the NIH strategy ensures transparency and unbiased research.
Funding reform debate
Scientists argue for open debate on funding reforms instead of hidden word restrictions.
Next steps
A proposed rule could give political appointees final say on federal grantmaking, increasing executive control.
What to remember
Trump's NIH funding changes cause grant delays, AI funding growth, and cuts to minority health research.
