research grants

Proposed White House regulations could eliminate 5,000 clinical trials by granting political appointees final authority over research grants.

The Trump administration is proposing a sweeping overhaul of how the federal government awards research grants, which researchers say could allow the administration to limit and exert more control over critical scientific research. Craig McLean, the former chief scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, discusses the issue with William Brangham.

President Trump issued an executive order reclassifying 8,000 civil service positions, including high-level NIH officials overseeing research grants, as political appointees. Critics argue this removes federal worker protections, risking political influence over grants and destabilizing long-term research efforts.

The National Science Foundation is slowing the distribution of research grants to certain U.S. universities. The reason for this funding limitation remains unclear according to the article.

The White House has proposed new rules granting political appointees final approval authority over research grants. The change would shift decision-making power to politically appointed officials rather than scientific experts.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has paused new research grants to top universities like Harvard University. The decision, reported by Nature, marks another restriction on funding for leading research institutions.