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4d ago

U.S. Funding Cuts Halt South Africa’s BRILLIANT HIV Vaccine Trial

The removal of U.S. support reflects an administration focus on domestic priorities, forcing South Africa to scramble for national funding to sustain critical HIV research.

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Overview

  • President Donald Trump’s administration cut all USAID and PEPFAR funding earlier this year, eliminating about $400 million in annual aid to South Africa’s HIV programs.
  • The abrupt withdrawal of a $46 million grant halted the BRILLIANT vaccine trial days before it was set to begin in Johannesburg.
  • The funding pullback has rendered major laboratories idle and led to layoffs of around 100 researchers and 8,000 health workers.
  • Universities South Africa has applied for more than $110 million in emergency support as the government warns of a $107 million research funding shortfall over the next five years.
  • The disruption threatens ongoing lenacapavir studies and undermines South Africa’s role in global HIV and pandemic vaccine development.