# Trump administration NIH policy and funding changes

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/trump-administration-nih-policy-and-funding-changes
> Updated: 2026-09-20T02:34:06.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

Under the Trump administration, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has undergone significant structural and policy shifts. Initial reports indicate a talent drain as scientists relocate due to instability and mass layoffs. During the first year of the administration, directed by Donald Trump and Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Junior, approximately 1,231 research projects were terminated following the suspension or cancellation of 5,844 grants. These disruptions have reportedly impacted patients in clinical trials and been exacerbated by the rejection of diversity initiatives, including the flagging of specific keywords in research.

To centralize control over grant distribution, President Trump has directed White House Budget Director Russ Vought to draft an executive order establishing a new oversight board. This board, composed of Vought and NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, would require unanimous decisions for all grant awards. This structure would effectively grant Vought veto power over billions of dollars in congressionally-appropriated biomedical research funding.

While the administration maintains these measures are necessary to ensure government resources support “solid science and appropriate research priorities,” reports indicate the directive aims to move away from the traditional scientific peer-review process to ensure research aligns with the administration’s political agenda. The move follows controversies regarding funding cuts at major universities and may face legal challenges. An NIH spokesperson stated the agency remains committed to its mission of funding biomedical research for the benefit of public health.

## Claims

- 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. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The proposed board would consist of NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya and OMB Director Russ Vought. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Grant award decisions by the proposed board would require unanimous agreement, effectively giving Vought veto power. (corroborated by 4 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. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The administration maintains that increased oversight is necessary to ensure federal funds support scientifically sound research and align with government priorities. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- A spokesperson for the NIH stated the agency remains committed to its mission of funding biomedical research for the health of Americans. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-20: Trump seeks executive order to control NIH research grants

President Trump has ordered the drafting of an executive order to place NIH health research grants under the control of a new board led by political appointees, potentially allowing for political vetoes.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trump-proposes-board-to-oversee-nih-research-funding

### 2026-09-01: NIH scientific talent drain increases under Trump administration

Scientific talent is fleeing the U.S. as the Trump administration implements cuts to NIH programs, resulting in thousands of canceled grants and the termination of over 1,200 research projects.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nih-scientific-talent-drain-increases-under-trump-administration

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Cite as: Trump administration NIH policy and funding changes. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/trump-administration-nih-policy-and-funding-changes