Researchers say U.S. blocks science funding

Researchers told Texas Public Radio on May 21 that federal science money is still not reliably reaching labs, even after some grants were nominally restored earlier this year. The report, distributed by NPR and published by TPR, said scientists described administrative delays, uncertainty and project disruptions that have continued after the White House reversed some earlier funding cuts. Harvard professor Sean Eddy, whose funding was terminated in 2025, told NPR the damage to his lab has already been severe. Other groups tracking federal research support have also reported slower grant activity and added internal review hurdles in 2026. ### Which researchers are saying the money still is not arriving? Harvard computational biologist Sean Eddy told NPR that the loss of his federal support had emptied a lab that once held more than a dozen researchers. In the TPR/NPR report published May 21, he said the funding termination was a “10-year hit to a lab” and described vacant workstations after staff departures. The report said Eddy had largely given up hope that his funding would be restored, even as some federal grants elsewhere were reinstated. (tpr.org) The May 21 report said scientists believe the administration is finding new ways to keep money from reaching researchers, despite formal restoration of some grants. NPR, in a related May 5 report carried by TPR, said billions in funding cut under President Donald Trump had been restored in 2026, but watchdogs said other mechanisms were now withholding money and scientists were already feeling the effects. (tpr.org) ### What are the delays supposed to look like in practice? The Health Research Alliance said on May 21 that NIH funding activity in the early months of fiscal 2026 was trailing historical levels by nearly $1 billion. Its monthly federal policy newsletter said fewer new and competitive grants had been issued because of delayed review cycles, staffing shortages, additional internal review procedures and disruptions tied to the federal shutdown. The group said those delays were contributing to stalled projects, delayed hiring and heavier administrative burdens at research institutions. (tpr.org) Nature reported last week that staffing shortages at NIH could sharply reduce the number of new grants issued this year. That account said some NIH units were prioritizing mandated renewals over new awards, adding to concern that restored funding on paper was not translating into money moving on normal timelines. ### Have lawmakers publicly questioned the slowdown? The House Appropriations subcommittee overseeing health spending held a hearing on March 19 that included questions about NIH grant delays. (healthra.org) The American College of Radiology said lawmakers from both parties raised concerns over slow grant distribution while NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya testified about funding, research policy and agency reforms. (nature.com) Rep. Rosa DeLauro said at that hearing that the Office of Management and Budget had released NIH apportionments only the night before, according to the ACR summary. Rep. Steny Hoyer questioned the pace of spending and said the National Cancer Institute had awarded only $2.6 million of its $7.4 billion research grant allocation at that point, the group said. Bhattacharya said NCI was on track to spend its budget and that new grants were being distributed. (acr.org) ### Is this only an NIH problem? The Health Research Alliance said on May 21 that the National Science Foundation had also awarded significantly fewer research grants than usual during fiscal 2026. The group said the slowdown reflected delayed budget approvals and disagreements over federal funding priorities, and it tied the disruption to uncertainty for investigators, graduate students and scientific staff. (acr.org) The same newsletter said the White House dismissed the entire National Science Board in late April, leaving NSF without a confirmed director, deputy director or oversight board. Former NSF leaders, it said, had urged restoration of agency leadership and warned of risks to U.S. competitiveness in fields including artificial intelligence, semiconductors and biotechnology. (healthra.org) ### What happens next for researchers waiting on awards? NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya told lawmakers on March 19 that new grants were being distributed and that the National Cancer Institute was on track to spend its budget, according to the ACR account. Researchers, universities and advocacy groups are likely to keep watching NIH and NSF award data through the rest of fiscal 2026 for signs that restored funding is moving again on normal schedules. (healthra.org) (acr.org)