Senate Proposes Boosting NIH Funding by $400 Million
On July 31, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved its fiscal year (FY) 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) spending bill, delivering a bipartisan rebuke to President Trump's proposed steep cuts to federal research and public health agencies.
The bill includes a $400 million increase for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), bringing its budget to $47.2 billion and rejecting the Administration's proposed $18 billion cut. It also blocks several controversial White House proposals, including a major NIH reorganization, a cap on indirect cost reimbursements at 15%, and a policy to "forward-fund" research grants. The forward-funding policy requires NIH to front-load up to 50% of remaining grants this fiscal year, awarding full multiyear funding upfront rather than annually--a practice NIH says will continue through FY 2026. Lawmakers and advocates warn that this maneuver could tie up future funds and significantly reduce the number of new research grants awarded.
The Senate bill would preserve NIH's current structure of 27 institutes, restore funding for HIV vaccine research, and provide targeted increases for cancer, Alzheimer's, infectious diseases, women's health, and other research areas.
Other agencies would see flat funding or modest reductions under the Senate plan. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would receive a $70 million (less than 1%) cut--far smaller than the $4.9 billion reduction proposed by the Administration. The bill also rejects proposals to eliminate the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and to slash funding for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) by $600 million. ARPA-H would be level-funded, while AHRQ would see a 6% reduction.
During the markup, senators on both sides of the aisle emphasized the importance of maintaining support for "lifesaving" biomedical research. "To the scientists wondering if there will even be an NIH by the end of this Administration, this committee's resounding message is: 'Yes, Congress has your back'," said Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Concerns over NIH funding delays also surfaced in the lead-up to the markup. Since the start of 2025, millions in appropriated NIH dollars have been withheld or delayed. On July 24, fourteen Republican senators urged White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought to release all FY 2025 NIH appropriations, warning that delays could jeopardize critical research and U.S. leadership in biomedical science. Vought had temporarily frozen $15 billion in NIH funds and publicly criticized the agency, calling for a "dramatic overhaul." However, the freeze was lifted following pressure from bipartisan lawmakers and advocacy groups.
The Senate LHHS bill would also provide continued, though slightly reduced, support for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which would receive a 1% cut. This funding stands in contrast to the Administration's call to eliminate the agency entirely.
The Senate bill now awaits full chamber consideration. The House is expected to introduce its version of the LHHS bill in September. However, with limited legislative days and political disagreement expected, many anticipate Congress may rely on a continuing resolution to extend FY 2025 funding levels into the next fiscal year.
Executive Order Shifts Federal Grant Oversight to Political Appointees
President Trump issued an Executive Order requiring political appointees to vet all federal grants, transferring authority away from career civil servants. The order would allow political appointees to override peer review, terminate grants "for convenience," and prioritize projects aligning with President Trump's policy agenda.
The move aims to prevent what the Administration calls wasteful spending by "unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats," citing examples such as a 2024 study claiming that "more than one-quarter of new National Science Foundation (NSF) grants went to diversity, equity, and inclusion and other far-left initiatives."
The order directs agency heads to designate senior political appointees to review and approve discretionary grants to ensure they align with agency priorities. This marks a significant shift from previous practices, where grant decisions were primarily managed by civil servants to avoid political favoritism.
Critics--including former NIH officials, research advocates, and Democratic lawmakers--warn that this change would politicize science, undermine court rulings protecting grants, and slow the grantmaking process. House Science Committee Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) described the policy as "nothing short of obscene."
NSF Cuts Senior Roles Amid Workforce Restructuring
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is eliminating senior staff positions as part of a Trump Administration effort to downsize and restructure the federal workforce. On July 28, NSF launched a "reduction in force" targeting members of the Senior Executive Service (SES)--the government's top career leadership ranks--after a recent Supreme Court ruling lifted a lower court injunction that had temporarily halted such plans.
According to E&E News, an internal email to staff outlined that affected SES employees would be reassigned to vacant executive roles, non-executive jobs, or equivalent positions within the agency. According to NSF, the reshuffle is designed to "enhance efficiency" and better align leadership with the agency's evolving priorities. The move will shift NSF's executive-to-staff ratio from 1:17 to roughly 1:30.
This is the latest in a series of upheavals at the science agency. NSF has already lost roughly one-third of its 1,800-person workforce. In June, employees were informed they would be forced to vacate their current headquarters to make room for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, but no relocation details have been shared.
Trump Administration Targets Scientific Finding for Climate Rules
The Trump Administration has proposed revoking the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2009 endangerment finding, a key scientific determination that underpins federal regulation of pollution that causes climate change.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the move, claiming the original finding was based on flawed legal interpretations of the Clean Air Act. The proposal coincided with a rollback of Biden-era vehicle emissions standards and marks a more aggressive climate policy shift compared to Trump's first term. If successful, repealing the finding would weaken EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions across multiple sectors.
To support the proposal, the Department of Energy (DOE) released a report downplaying the economic risks of carbon emissions and questioning mainstream climate models. DOE Secretary Chris Wright commissioned five scientists known for their skepticism of climate impact assessments to author the report, which also suggests possible benefits of higher carbon dioxide levels.
Critics, including scientists cited in the report, have accused DOE of misrepresenting their work to support a predetermined narrative. Top climate scientists are considering a coordinated rebuttal to what they see as an attempt to undermine climate science and policy.
EPA will hold a virtual public hearing on the proposal on August 19-20, and DOE is accepting comments on the report through September 2.
HHS Halts $500 Million in mRNA Vaccine Development
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced last week that the department will cancel nearly $500 million in contracts and grants for mRNA vaccine development under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), citing doubts about the technology's effectiveness against upper respiratory illnesses.
"Let me be absolutely clear: HHS supports safe, effective vaccines for every American who wants them. That's why we're moving beyond the limitations of mRNA and investing in better solutions," Kennedy stated. In total, 22 projects will be terminated, de-scoped, or restructured, with funding redirected to vaccine platforms "with stronger safety records and transparent clinical and manufacturing data practices."
The move drew swift criticism from scientists and public health experts, who called the decision scientifically flawed and a major setback for pandemic preparedness. They warned that abandoning mRNA platforms will weaken rapid-response capabilities and create national security vulnerabilities.
Former Surgeon General Jerome Adams, who served during the first Trump administration, condemned the cuts, warning they will "cost lives." Adams stressed mRNA's broader potential beyond COVID-19, noting the technology's role in saving millions during the pandemic. Advocates note that mRNA technology holds significant promise for infectious disease prevention, including combating bird flu and emerging influenza strains, as well as advancing cancer diagnostics and treatments.
President Trump appeared unsettled by the decision, calling Operation Warp Speed "one of the most incredible things ever done in this country." He said he would meet with Kennedy to discuss the cancellations.
NSB Report Highlights Shifts in Global R&D Landscape
A new report from the National Science Board (NSB) and the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics sheds light on the evolving nature of the global research and development (R&D) ecosystem.
Titled "Discovery: R&D Activity and Publications," the report examines R&D inputs--how research is performed and funded across sectors and countries--as well as outputs like scientific publications, offering a comprehensive view of global research activity.
A key finding was that in 2023, the U.S. business sector funded 75% and performed 78% of domestic R&D, far surpassing the federal government's shares of 18% and 8%, respectively. Business investment in areas like AI and biotechnology continues to grow.
Although the United States remains a global R&D leader, China is rapidly narrowing the gap. China's publication output in 2023 was more than twice that of the U.S., and its share of global R&D spending and highly cited research continues to rise. Since 2000, China's R&D investment has grown at a double-digit annual rate, while U.S. growth has remained below 10%.
The report underscores the urgent need for sustained federal investment to preserve U.S. leadership in science and innovation. NSB also released a policy companion to the report that calls for funding "bold, curiosity-driven basic research" and growing domestic science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) talent.
USDA Accepting Comments on Reorganization Plan
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting public comments until August 26 on a new reorganization plan that has drawn bipartisan criticism. Announced on July 24, the plan would relocate about 2,600 employees from the Washington, D.C. area to five regional hubs. It also proposes closing several research facilities, including the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, the research center that houses the Agricultural Research Service, and most of the U.S. Forest Service research stations.
The USDA states that the reorganization aims to cut costs and move staff closer to rural communities, aligning with a key priority for President Trump's second term. However, critics have condemned the lack of transparency in the planning process and have raised concerns about the potential impacts of the changes. USDA officials have stressed that the details are not final and that full implementation would take months.
Retired U.S. Forest Service chiefs have voiced strong opposition, particularly regarding the proposed cuts to research and the transfer of wildfire management to the Department of the Interior. In a shared video, seven former chiefs warned that separating wildfire response from land management would increase costs without improving results. They defended the Forest Service's legacy of balancing timber, conservation, science, wildfire protection, climate work, and public engagement, and cautioned against narrowing its focus to timber and wood products.
AIBS & OBFS Write to USDA, Congress About Maintaining Support for USFS Experimental Forests and Ranges
AIBS joined member society Organization of Biological Field Stations (OBFS) in sending a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Chief Tom Schultz, and leaders of the House and Senate agriculture committees expressing strong support for the USFS Experimental Forests and Ranges (EFRs)--84 critical research and product management sites administered by the USFS Research Stations.
The letter seeks clarity on how USDA's reorganization plan, outlined in the July 24, 2025 Secretary Memorandum (SM 1078-015), would impact the EFRs. The memo states that the "current stand-alone Research Stations will be consolidated into a single location in Fort Collins, Colorado," but does not specify plans for the EFRs.
"The EFRs have long been one of the American customer's closest connections to the USDA's vital research programs," the letter argues. "As 84 place-based programs across the country, producing great and positive impact in American backyards, the EFRs actively and effectively serve the four key pillars you identify in your Memorandum. The USFS' Fire Sciences Lab and Forest Products Lab, both identified to be retained for their essential service in your Memorandum, are directly informed by and leverage the EFRs. Thus, maintaining the 84 EFRs across the Nation is valuable to the American people and mission-aligned with the USDA's future."
Read the letter sent to USDA. A similar letter to Congress urged lawmakers to work with the Administration to ensure that support for EFRs is not lost under the USDA's reorganization plan.
AIBS Joins Letter to NIH on Federal Biosecurity & Biosafety Policy
AIBS joined 40 organizations in a letter to National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Jay Bhattacharya expressing concerns about the implementation of the "Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research" Executive Order 14292.
The letter expresses alarm over the recent suspension of dozens of gain-of-function research grants. "These suspensions hamper our ability to develop treatments and diagnostics for infectious diseases, making the U.S. more vulnerable to infectious disease threats at a time when our public health challenges are more complex than ever before," reads the letter. "Maintaining strong biosafety and biosecurity systems requires continued federal investment, not arbitrary research suspensions and indiscriminate funding cuts."
The organizations urged the Administration to "commit to transparent, evidence-based policymaking that safeguards public health, strengthens biosecurity and supports continued scientific innovation."
Read the full letter.
Register for the Writing for Impact and Influence Online Course
The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) is offering its popular professional development program to help scientists and students hone their written communication skills to increase the power of their message.
Writing for Impact and Influence provides practical instruction and hands-on exercises that will improve the participant's general writing proficiency. The program will provide participants with the skills and tools needed to compose scientific press releases, blog posts, memoranda, and more, with a focus on the reader experience.
Each product-oriented session will have an assignment (deadlines are flexible), with feedback from the instructor. The course is interactive, and participants are encouraged to ask questions and exchange ideas with the instructor and other participants. Each session is also recorded and shared with all participants to accommodate scheduling conflicts.
Who Should Take the Course?
- Individuals interested in furthering their professional development by augmenting their writing skills.
- Graduate students and early-career professionals interested in increasing their marketability to employers.
- Individuals interested in more effectively informing and influencing segments of the public, supervisors, policymakers, reporters, organizational leaders, and others.
The course consists of six weekly 90-minute online modules conducted live and subsequently archived online for participant review. The course will begin on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, with subsequent course sessions held weekly on Wednesdays, through October 15. Individuals who actively participate in and complete the full course will receive a certificate recognizing that they have completed a nine-hour professional development course on business writing for scientists.
Register now.
Short Takes
-
The 2024 AIBS Annual Report is now available. Learn about how we work to achieve our mission by publishing the peer-reviewed journal BioScience; by providing scientific peer review and advisory services to a variety of clients; and by collaborating with scientific organizations to advance public policy, education, and the public understanding of science.
-
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is requesting information on five proposed options to cap the amount it pays for open-access publishing fees for NIH-funded research starting in fiscal year 2026. Responses will be accepted through September 15, 2025.
-
The Senate confirmed Dr. Susan Monarez as Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in a 52-47 party-line vote. She is the first to hold the position under a 2023 law requiring Senate confirmation. Dr. Monarez previously served as Deputy Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) and brings a background in microbiology, immunology, infectious disease, and biosecurity.
-
Several Department of Energy national labs have begun or are preparing for significant layoffs, potentially affecting over 3,000 scientists and staff, including 1,000 at the National Renewable Energy Lab. According to a letter from California Democrats, the layoffs stem from proposed FY 2025 budget cuts and the DOE's "unlawful reprogramming" of funds away from wind and solar toward other energy programs. The lawmakers urged the Administration to reverse course, pointing to Energy Secretary Chris Wright's earlier testimony to Congress where he suggested he was "very open to expanding" the national lab budget.
- The Senate confirmed Brian Nesvik, former head of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, as the next Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service with a 54-43 vote. His confirmation received bipartisan support, including from Democrats Jacky Rosen (NV) and Martin Heinrich (NM). Nesvik, who had previously faced criticism for favoring fossil fuel and farming interests, has been praised by some conservation groups for his work on big game migration corridors and wildlife management in Wyoming.
-
NIH announced a new policy, effective September 25, 2025, limiting Principal Investigators (PIs) to submitting no more than six applications per calendar year "to maintain the fairness and originality of NIH's research application process." The policy also restricts the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in developing applications, stating that proposals substantially created by AI will not be considered original and may trigger research misconduct investigations.
From the Federal Register
The following items appeared in the Federal Register from July 28 to August 8, 2025.
Commerce
Environmental Protection Agency
Executive Office of the President
Health and Human Services
Interior
National Science Foundation
