## The NIH Budget Blues: Once-Promising Careers Now Hanging by a Thread For a generation of scientists, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) represented a beacon of hope. A chance to pursue revolutionary research, to unravel the mysteries of the human body, to make a real difference in the world. But now, that beacon is flickering. WIRED’s latest exposé reveals the devastating reality of recent NIH budget cuts: a generation of early-career scientists is scrambling to survive, their dreams of groundbreaking discoveries jeopardized by a lack of funding and a looming crisis of talent. Join us as we delve into the chaos, exploring the human stories behind the statistics, and examining the long-term consequences of this critical underfunding.
A Deluge of Executive Orders and Agency Directives
Since his inauguration, President Trump has issued a significant number of federal executive orders and agency directives, many of which will affect our investigators’ upcoming federal proposals and existing federal grants and contracts. While some agencies have begun issuing updates, many others are still in the process of determining how they will implement these E.O.s and directives.
As a result, there is a great deal of speculation about the implications of the changes, and we understand that many of our investigators have questions and concerns about how to move forward with their proposals and grants and contracts.
Uncertainty and Speculation: The Ripple Effect on Research
The pending cuts add to what has already been two months of stress, uncertainty, shifting policies around funding, communications and travel, firings and, in some cases, rehirings — all before President Trump’s nominee for NIH commissioner, Jay Bhattacharya, has been confirmed by the Senate.
“Nobody feels like their job is safe. Everyone is on edge,” said Kim Hasenkrug, an NIH scientist emeritus with knowledge of ongoing activities at Rocky Mountain Laboratories. “They’re trying to hide these numbers. Even the top people can’t keep track because they’re hiring and firing so much. Direct supervisors of those who were terminated didn’t even know that it was happening.”
Updates and Guidance: Staying Compliant in a Shifting Landscape
Rice University leadership is closely monitoring these developments and will update this web page as the White House and federal agencies release additional guidance. Please visit this page often. It is important that you stay informed to ensure that you remain compliant with all guidance.
The information below will help you stay on top of, understand, and gain insight into the changes and how they will affect your proposals and grants and contracts.
Rice University’s Response: Monitoring and Updating
Latest Status Update (March 5, 2025) Some positive news from federal courts about grants that contain diversity, equity, and inclusion components. On Saturday, a federal district court in Baltimore issued an order that prohibits federal agencies from:
- Pausing, freezing, or terminating any current awards, contracts or obligations based on President’s Trump’s executive orders about DEI;
- Changing the terms of any current award based on those EOs;
- Requiring Rice or other grantees to certify – in any grant, new or existing – that they are following those two EOs (as some universities had been asked to do);
- Taking enforcement actions against universities (or other grantees) because of those two EOs.
Two caveats to this update: First, the judge’s order is temporary. Within two weeks, she will decide whether to make it indefinite. Second, the judge’s order does not talk about, or invalidate, the February 14 Dear Colleague Letter from the U.S. Department of Education (ED). That letter provided us ED’s view on race-conscious activities at universities. For now, that guidance letter still stands, as does our Office of General Counsel’s February 21 advice about it to our faculty and staff.
The Importance of Staying Informed
Questions? We’ll continue updating you as we learn more. Please feel free to send any questions to [email protected] or, for legal advice, to [email protected] or [email protected].
The Future of Research Funding
Key Projects and Initiatives at Risk
Rice researchers are transforming lives by conducting groundbreaking research in crucial fields such as health and medicine, national security and defense, energy and climate, life sciences, artificial intelligence and many more, driving real-world impact and innovation.
Research and scholarship are vital to Rice’s mission and critical to the success and wellbeing of our nation. As such, university leaders have been proactively communicating with faculty, staff and students about any challenges they may face during this time of transition and uncertainty.
ARPA-H and NSF-Funded Projects: The Consequences of Cuts
Key projects include: Rice is part of a $34.9M ARPA-H project to develop a bioelectronic implant aimed at improving treatment for obesity and Type 2 diabetes. A Rice-engineered brain stimulator, funded by the NSF, could transform treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy.
The Implications for AI, Health, and Medicine Research
In FY2024, Rice received $218M in research funding, with 59% ($129M) from federal sources like the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense and Department of Energy.
The Bigger Picture: Maintaining Global Scientific Leadership
The U.S. must maintain its global economic, scientific and technological leadership—halting critical research threatens this position. Even a brief pause in federally funded research weakens our competitive edge, particularly in areas like AI, where international competitors are rapidly advancing.
The Importance of Federal Funding for Research and Innovation
Federal funding is crucial for research and innovation, and any cuts to this funding can have far-reaching consequences for the scientific community and the nation as a whole.
The Risks of a Brief Pause in Federally Funded Research
A brief pause in federally funded research can have significant implications for the scientific community, including delayed or canceled projects, lost opportunities for innovation, and a decline in the nation’s competitive edge.
Conclusion
As the National Institutes of Health (NIH) continues to grapple with funding cuts, early-career scientists are facing an unprecedented crisis. The article highlights the chaos that has ensued, with researchers scrambling to secure grants and navigate the increasingly uncertain landscape. The NIH’s funding reductions have resulted in a significant decrease in the number of research programs, leading to a surge in competition for remaining grants. This, in turn, has pushed early-career scientists to the brink, forcing them to make impossible choices between pursuing their research passions and securing their financial futures.
The significance of this issue lies in its far-reaching implications for the scientific community. The NIH plays a critical role in driving innovation and advancing medical knowledge, and its funding cuts have the potential to stifle progress and hinder scientific discovery. Furthermore, the impact on early-career scientists will be felt for years to come, as they face a significant obstacle in establishing their careers and making meaningful contributions to their fields. The consequences of inaction will be severe, threatening not only the advancement of science but also the future of healthcare and society as a whole.
As the NIH continues to navigate this challenging landscape, it is essential that policymakers and stakeholders recognize the urgency of the situation. The future of scientific research depends on the ability of early-career scientists to secure funding and pursue their research passions. We must act now to prevent a brain drain of talent and ensure that the scientific community remains vibrant and dynamic. The question is no longer if we will find a way to overcome these funding cuts, but how we will come together to support the next generation of scientists and ensure that the pursuit of knowledge continues unabated.