Overview
- A federal lawsuit filed in Massachusetts challenges the NIH's cancellation of at least 678 research grants, totaling over $2.4 billion in funding, including $1.3 billion already spent.
- The suit, led by the ACLU and public health organizations, claims the cancellations are politically motivated and violate federal laws and congressional mandates.
- Research projects on HIV, Alzheimer’s, health disparities, and other critical public health issues have been disrupted, with significant consequences for scientific progress and patient outcomes.
- The lawsuit argues the NIH used vague and undefined criteria to terminate grants, undermining the integrity of the grant review process and scientific independence.
- The NIH, citing a policy against commenting on pending litigation, has not responded to allegations of arbitrary and ideologically driven decision-making.