Massive Cuts: NIH Faces $1.81 Billion Funding Termination Under Trump Administration

The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) experienced a significant reduction in its research funding this year, amounting to $1.81 billion, according to a recent analysis. The cuts came as a result of policy shifts initiated by the Trump administration, significantly affecting grants between February 28 and April 8.

Among the affected grants, important projects like those focusing on LGBTQ health, COVID-19, and vaccine hesitancy were terminated. This has sparked legal actions as researchers seek the reinstatement of these funding streams, which were cut in what some describe as an 'ideological purge.'

Looking ahead, the White House has proposed further cuts to NIH budgets, with a reduction of $18 billion on the table, leaving the institution with $27 billion for future projects. Such substantial budgetary changes raise concerns about the future landscape of medical research in the United States.

(With inputs from agencies.)