npr.org
NIH in the Crosshairs Under Trump
Potential changes to the NIH under the Trump administration include budget cuts, restructuring, and restrictions on certain types of research, sparking concerns among scientists and medical professionals.
English
United States
PoliticsUs PoliticsHealthScienceHealthcareGovernmentResearch
National Institutes Of Health (Nih)Competitive Enterprise InstituteParagon Health InstituteHeritage FoundationResearch!America
Donald TrumpMonica M. BertagnolliRobert F. Kennedy Jr.Anthony FauciBrett Giroir
- What are the main concerns regarding the NIH's current grant-making process?
- Concerns exist regarding the NIH's grant-making process, described as inefficient, burdensome, and potentially inbred, favoring established researchers and institutions.
- What are some of the potential changes to the NIH under the next Trump administration?
- The NIH's $48 billion annual budget is a potential target for restructuring under the next Trump administration, with proposals including reducing the number of institutes and centers, imposing term limits on leaders, and streamlining the grant-making process.
- What are the broader concerns within the medical community about potential NIH restructuring?
- There is widespread concern within the medical community that significant changes to the NIH could lead to budget cuts, harming biomedical research and undermining the agency's leading global position.
- What is the controversy surrounding the proposal to distribute NIH funds to states through block grants?
- One controversial proposal suggests distributing some of the NIH's budget to states via block grants, bypassing the agency's peer-review system; this approach worries many who value the current system's independence and expertise.
- What types of research might be restricted under a Trump administration, and are there any counterarguments?
- The Trump administration may restrict certain research areas, such as gain-of-function research and research using fetal tissue, while some see potential benefits in tightening lab security and strengthening research oversight.