Researchers Grapple With Loss of Funding for Cancer Studies
Photo: National Institute of Health
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Following directives from President Donald Trump, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has withheld billions of dollars in funding for research and terminated grants that were funding studies across the country — moves that have negatively impacted researchers studying cancer and other diseases. 1-4
Between February and June of this year, the NIH terminated more than 1800 grants and obligated $8 billion less toward new and existing grants than in the same time period in fiscal year 2024, according to the US Government Accountability Office. 1
The terminated research spans a broad array of health concerns, including dementia, HIV, mental health, infectious diseases, and cancer,” and many of these studies were focused on LGBTQ+ health, according to Mandi Pratt-Chapman, PhD, an associate professor at George Washington University and associate center director of Patient-Centered Initiatives and Health Equity at the GW Cancer Center in Washington, DC.
“Some of these studies were longitudinal studies that have been conducted over years. For studies following up with people over time to test a specific hypothesis, you can never get that data again once a study is interrupted,” she added.
Though some terminated grants are the subject of ongoing legal cases, and some of the withheld funding has been restored, at least some funding may be withheld permanently, and more grant terminations may be on the horizon. 1,13-18 President Trump signed an executive order on August 7 that requires federal grants to support only those studies or projects that align with his policy priorities, federal agency priorities, and the “national interest.” 17,18 This order may prevent the approval of grants that do not meet these criteria and allow for the termination of additional existing grants.
In April, Dr Pratt-Chapman conducted a survey to explore how the Trump administration’s actions are affecting scientists . The final sample of survey respondents included 158 US scientists and research staff.
“I’m currently trying to find a home for these findings, but, at a high level, I will say that about two-thirds of the respondents had changed language in an academic product and had research programs delayed or halted,” she shared. “Nearly one-half of respondents had reframed their research questions, which has huge implications on who science will benefit.”
In addition, more than 90% of respondents reported increased anxiety due to the current anti-science climate in the US, she said.
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Following directives from President Donald Trump, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has withheld billions of dollars in funding for research and terminated grants that were funding studies across the country — moves that have negatively impacted researchers studying cancer and other diseases.
Apparently Trump does not consider a cure for cancer or at least an alleviation of its symptoms to be in the National Interest.
The terminated research spans a broad array of health concerns, including dementia, HIV, mental health, infectious diseases, and cancer,” and many of these studies were focused on LGBTQ+ health, according to Mandi Pratt-Chapman, PhD, an associate professor at George Washington University and associate center director of Patient-Centered Initiatives and Health Equity at the GW Cancer Center in Washington, DC.
If a cure for cancer will work for an LBGTQ+ person, why would it not work for someone who wasn't?
“Some of these studies were longitudinal studies that have been conducted over years. For studies following up with people over time to test a specific hypothesis, you can never get that data again once a study is interrupted,” she added.
So what? Trump doesn't have cancer, so why would he even give a shit.
So the NIH terminated these. Not the Federal Government or Trump.
The terminations had to have been caused by the federal funding being cut off, why else?
The quoted sentence stating NIH TERMINATED THE GRANTS is from the article. You saying the article is wrong?
Okay, but then who is really to blame....?
Who funds the National Institute of Health?
Based on the article that you and I both quoted...NIH. It's the first paragraph. The NIH made the determination on exactly what gets cut.
Would they have made any determination or cuts at all if Trump did not prsssure them?
That's a question to ask NIH.
Trump ordered most departments to cut their budgets and his 2026 submitted budget calls for another $160 Billion in cuts. This fiscal year's deficit spending grew to a $Trillion again, we cannot continue to borrow money and overspend at the federal level.
Even you state the NIH made the decision on what grants to cut. Even you state that:
Nothing stating specifically for cancer research. The NIH made those decisions.
Yeah, but have you seen that ballroom at the WH?! It’s about priorities.