New NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya Reshapes Agency with Leadership Overhaul and Workforce Reductions

On his first day in office, Bhattacharya removed four institute chiefs and initiated a 20,000-employee workforce cut as part of a broader restructuring plan under the Trump administration.

• Jay Bhattacharya officially assumed his role as NIH director on April 1, 2025, and immediately implemented significant leadership changes and staff reductions.
• The chiefs of four NIH institutes, including NIAID, were removed, with some offered reassignments to the Indian Health Service in underserved regions.
• The Department of Health and Human Services announced a 20,000-employee workforce reduction, affecting one-quarter of NIH staff and disrupting administrative and research functions.
• Bhattacharya emphasized restoring trust in science through 'gold standard science' and prioritizing chronic disease prevention as key goals for the NIH.
• Critics, including prominent researchers, have expressed concern over the potential long-term impact of these changes on NIH operations and the broader research community.

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