NIH Budget Cuts Are a “Short-Sighted” Setback for US Science
February 19, 2025
On the evening of February 7, 2025, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced a new policy that would reduce the agency’s funding for major research institutions nationwide. The move is estimated to slash four billion USD in funding coming from the NIH, sparking widespread concern and leaving many scientists uncertain about the future of their research.
“It came without a warning,” said Charles Hong, a physician-scientist at Michigan State University, who studies small molecules that modulate embryonic development using zebrafish.
Hong first heard the news on social media. “I thought it was just a rumor or a joke,” he said. The next morning, a university email confirmed the harsh reality of the cuts. “[The news] was demoralizing.”
The NIH plays a crucial role in supporting biomedical research. In 2024 alone, the agency provided at least $32 billion of funding for 60,000 grants in basic, translational, and clinical studies. This funding not only supported research but also fueled more than $92 billion in new economic activity and nearly half a million jobs, according a report from United for Medical Research. The proposed cuts could stall scientific progress, disrupting research operations and jeopardizing scientific careers.