Story perspectives

NIH Shifts Focus, Halts DEI Grants Amidst Research Concerns

1/4/2026

Summary

Trump Reevaluates NIH Grants

The U.S. administration under President Donald Trump agreed to reevaluate National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants stalled by anti-diversity policies, covering more than 5,000 applications.
On December 29, 2025, NIH approved 499 of 528 grants.
NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya said diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) grants will not be renewed, citing a shift in agency priorities.
Critics argue terminations have hindered vital research, impacting studies on Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.

Summary

ACLU Forces NIH Review

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) announced a settlement, pending judicial approval, requiring the National Institutes of Health to restart reviews of grant applications blocked under the now-invalidated policy.
Reviews will follow standard peer review, with no guarantee of funding.
The policy was deemed arbitrary by the Supreme Court and canceled grants across areas including climate change and health disparities.
Researchers affected by cancellations had filed lawsuits challenging government actions.

History

Historical Context

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 aimed to eliminate discrimination, shaping future diversity policies in federal funding. By 2025, the Supreme Court ruled against anti-diversity policies that stalled over 5,000 NIH grant applications, affecting vital research areas like Alzheimer’s and cancer. This ruling prompted the ACLU to advocate for reevaluating blocked grants, highlighting the ongoing fight for equitable research funding.

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Trump Reevaluates NIH Grants

The U.S. administration under President Donald Trump agreed to reevaluate National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants stalled by anti-diversity policies, covering more than 5,000 applications.
On December 29, 2025, NIH approved 499 of 528 grants.
NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya said diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) grants will not be renewed, citing a shift in agency priorities.
Critics argue terminations have hindered vital research, impacting studies on Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.

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