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Trump seeks to place NIH research funding under political oversight
President Donald Trump has reportedly directed the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to draft an executive order that would grant the administration direct oversight of National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant funding.
The proposed plan involves creating an external board composed of political appointees, specifically OMB Director Russ Vought and NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya. Under this structure, any decision to award biomedical research grants would require a unanimous vote from the board. This requirement would effectively grant Vought veto power over individual research projects.
Reports indicate the move is intended to ensure federal funds align with the administration's priorities and to target research deemed “woke” or contrary to the president's agenda. This includes scrutiny of studies related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as research into gender identity and climate change. The directive also follows tensions regarding the administration's efforts to reduce funding for institutions like Harvard University.
Currently, NIH grants are distributed through a peer-review process conducted by independent scientific experts. The proposed board would sit atop this existing system, adding a layer of political review. While the administration argues this oversight ensures scientifically sound research, critics and some scientists warn it could lead to self-censorship and political interference in critical medical research.
Entities
Donald Trump · Jay Bhattacharya · National Institutes of Health · Office of Management and Budget · Russ Vought · White House Office of Management and Budget
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 7 SOURCES] President Donald Trump has directed Budget Director Russ Vought to draft an executive order to increase administration control over National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants. almanartv.com.lb · srnnews.com · san.com · dailytimes.com.pk · forbesliberia.com · +2 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The administration maintains that increased oversight is necessary to ensure federal funds support scientifically sound research and align with government priorities. srnnews.com · dailytimes.com.pk
- [● 5 SOURCES] A spokesperson for the NIH stated the agency remains committed to its mission of funding biomedical research for the health of Americans. san.com · forbesliberia.com · almanartv.com.lb · world-today-journal.com · www.westhawaiitoday.com
- [● 8 SOURCES] Grant award decisions by the proposed board would require unanimous agreement, effectively giving Vought veto power. almanartv.com.lb · srnnews.com · san.com · dailytimes.com.pk · forbesliberia.com · +3 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] The directive aims to create an external committee with the power to veto biomedical research awards that do not align with the administration's political agenda. almanartv.com.lb · san.com · www.westhawaiitoday.com
- [● 9 SOURCES] The proposed board would consist of NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya and OMB Director Russ Vought. almanartv.com.lb · srnnews.com · san.com · dailytimes.com.pk · forbesliberia.com · +4 more