27 UNIHTED / NIH Vigils Newsletter 5/9/26

Written By Anna

Hi NIH Vigilers and 27 UNIHTED Community,

“Hearts starve as well as bodies; give us bread, but give us roses.” - James Oppenheim

March on, women.  Happy Mother's Day.

Vigil “Auntie” News 

- The Good -

Courts protect museums, libraries, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. In March 2025, President Trump tried to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) but 21 states fought back and won on constitutional grounds, with a federal court in Rhode Island barring any similar future actions by the administration. The American Library Association has since reported that all IMLS agency grants have been reinstated and the administration has now withdrawn its appeal of that decision. In another victory for constitutional democracy, a federal judge in Manhattan reversed the illegal cancellation of some 14,000 NEH humanities grants, calling out DOGE’s cuts as a “textbook example of viewpoint discrimination” that included using ChatGPT to screen for content related to minority, immigration, and religious status. 

How to resist a weakening American democracy. In a pair of televised interviews, noted historians Heather Cox Richardson and Timothy Snyder spoke about the current state of the country and the imperative to resist authoritarianism.  Dr. Richardson was interviewed for C-SPAN’s America’s Book Club about Current Challenges to Our Democracy. Science Editor-in-Chief Holden Thorpe interviewed Dr. Snyder, famously the author of “On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century” to discuss “Lessons in resistance for the scientific community”.  We highly recommend! 

Hope for the future of science. As a long-time stalwart of US scientific education and research, Harvard’s struggles in the past two years have been emblematic of the troubling times for US science as a whole. In April 2025, the federal government attempted to freeze $2B+ in research funding on ill-supported allegations of anti-semitism while threats to cap indirect costs on NIH grants and other destabilizing moves put unprecedented pressure on the institution. Although courts have reversed most of these decisions as unconstitutional and illegal, Harvard made a difficult decision last year to cut PhD admissions to its Faculty of Art and Sciences (FAS) Division by 50%. Other universities, including the University of California, have reported hiring freezes and research disruptions, linking reduced support for research staff and trainees to federal attacks on scientific and research funding. But hope is on the horizon! Harvard FAS announced this week that it plans to increase PhD admissions next year. Meanwhile, Californians are calling on lawmakers to support a $23B bond proposal to fund live-saving research in the state. 

Baby geese alert sounded for NIH Bethesda campus! In a further sign of hope and renewal, this year’s first baby geese have been sighted on the main NIH campus. Hearts reportedly melted in response.

- The Bad -

Reinstated NIH employees return under a cloud of uncertainty. We celebrate the return of Jenna Norton and other NIH employees placed on administrative leave last week, but the harmful disruption remains and the circumstances of their return remain in question. Reinstated employees include staff formerly assigned to the Sexual and Gender Minority Research Office (SGMRO). Despite reassignment to new roles in December 2024, the administration tracked down the former SGMRO staff and placed them on leave in March 2025. Former SGMRO staff were ordered back to work on May 4 —no reason, explanation, or excuse was provided for putting these individuals on leave or for reinstating them. The SGMRO as an office remains defunct. It is unclear if suspended NIHers outside of the SGMRO will be reinstated.

NIH funding cuts and delays are reshaping who gets to do science. The cancellation of grants on the unfounded premise that it is inequitable to study why certain populations experience health disparities is bad enough.  But targeting of grants seen as furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals is harming the robustness of our research community, too.  A new study from The Lancet reveals that scientists of color or from sexual and gender minority (SGM) groups have been disproportionately more likely to experience an equity-related or gender-related grant termination. Of the ~1000 investigators surveyed, 49% of those receiving an equity-related termination were scientists of color. SGM and white female scientists were 2-11 times more likely to see a gender-related funding cut compared to white men. On the other end of the NIH grants pipeline, a byzantine approvals system for new funding opportunities is miring potential research support in bureaucratic chaos. In a substack article this week, “Release the Forecasts”, 27U ally Liz Ginexi explores how the NIH’s new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) forecast system is holding back science—including 49 NOFO forecasts tied to Congressionally-mandated programs and 36 that are already past NIH’s own listed publication date.

FDA is failing to do its job. The FDA is holding back vaccine efficacy and safety data from studies conducted by its own scientists. Two studies on COVID-19 vaccines, which found negative side-effects were mild or rare, were withdrawn after being accepted to peer-reviewed journals. FDA officials also refused to approve conference abstracts on a shingles vaccine, saying the design of the shingles study did not fall within the agency’s purview. Whether confirmation bias or scientific manipulation, the FDA can’t even seem to make progress on its own initiatives. Despite big promises by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to phase out synthetic food dyes, the regulatory agency has produced nothing but unenforced promises from a few companies listed on its website.  The lack of rule-making and low staff morale may be why FDA Commissioner Marty Makary is reportedly on his way out (see Leadership Watch below).

The slow destruction of US public health research.  It will be no surprise to readers of this newsletter that the US public health system, which is held aloft by the dedicated research and communications efforts of the federal scientific workforce, is crumbling in a wash of self-inflicted destruction and censorship. In a triptych of articles this week, the Guardian documents how the Trump administration has been quietly disappearing critical health datasets from public view, including rates of infant mortality and trans youth suicide, while grassroots groups like The Data Rescue Project have been fighting to preserve what’s left. Finally, an in-depth essay explores how Christian Nationalist ideology has changed the narrative around public health, particularly at the HHS. 

- The Ugly -

US unprepared for hantavirus outbreak. An active outbreak of Andes virus, a hantavirus, aboard a cruise ship has killed three people and may be present in the U.S. via passengers who disembarked early. The high-fatality infection was confirmed on May 2 but it wasn’t until May 6th that the CDC, under Acting Director Jay Bhattacharya, posted a short statement describing the situation as “extremely low” risk to travelers and the American public. On May 8th, Bhattacharya appeared on Fox news for the agency’s first on-camera appearance, where he cited incorrect facts about the situation. The CDC’s weak response stands in dismaying contrast to its historic reputation for leadership and WHO collaboration. It is noteworthy that the Trump administration shut down the NIH-funded Centers for Research in Emerging Infectious Diseases (CREID) network in 2025, including a project on hantavirus transmission. 

Disabled federal scientists illegally denied workplace accommodations. We reported last week on how HHS is scrambling to cover a backlog of 9,000+ reasonable accommodations requests after it rashly cancelled all existing requests and fired much of the HR staff trained to handle them. This week, the New York Times gives us an in-depth account of the situation inside the CDC, where in-office requirements have been particularly strict. Employees with disabilities, including veterans, have struggled to get legally-mandated support to allow them to do their jobs, leading many to quit. 

Some federal workers turn down prestigious public service award nominations, frightened of the attention. The Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal has been referred to as the Oscars award for government workers. Career public servants shying away from the limelight is nothing new, but this year’s minimalist affair was a chilling reminder of today’s federal workforce culture.  Only four “Sammies” were given out this year, down from two dozen last year, and some federal employees reportedly turned down nominations, fearing that public recognition would draw retaliation.

*New* Science Interrupted

What We’ve Lost

Promising research grant on shingles vaccine canceled over misinterpreted wording.  Dr. Nisha Acharya was making good use of her NIH funding to study how well the shingles vaccine prevents complications in the eyes, where the disease can cause blindness. The results of her first grant, showing vaccine efficacy in preventing shingles, were promising enough to snare a grant renewal of $3M to expand her research. So Dr. Acharya was stunned when she received an email on March 10, 2025, stating that NIH was abruptly canceling her grant. Infuriatingly, the notice said her grant was being canceled because it studied “why individuals are hesitant to be vaccinated and/or explore ways to improve vaccine interest and commitment”...when her research didn’t study those topics at all. However, her application included the words “uptake” (to describe how many people got the vaccine) and “hesitancy” (in describing the concerns of some cornea specialists), which might have tripped uninformed searches or AI analyses. No additional explanation was provided for the immediate termination of Dr. Acharya’s funding. She reported that she would likely have to let go several people from her lab.

Reflection from the Community

“The end of my 22-year federal career was not simply the loss of a job—it marked the loss of my purpose in public service and the mission that has defined my life as a brain tumor survivor. After enduring a 10-hour brain surgery and a year of rehabilitation to relearn how to walk and speak, I made a deliberate choice: to dedicate my career to advocating for individuals facing life-altering diagnoses. My work was never just professional—it was deeply personal. I am driven by lived experience, by resilience, and by a commitment to ensure that no one navigating a catastrophic illness feels unseen or unheard. I profoundly miss conducting research that amplifies the needs, challenges, and voices of people diagnosed with cancer. That work gave meaning not only to my career, but to my survival.”

— Silvia

Leadership Watch

FDA Commissioner Makary ousted? Following a political dispute over the FDA’s initial refusal to approve flavored vaping pods, and slow-walking changes that would limit the access to abortion pill mifepristone, Makary has reportedly been on thin ice with senior HHS personnel.  Now, multiple White House sources have confirmed that Makary’s job is in danger, with one confirming that the President has signed off on a plan to fire the FDA Commissioner. The timing is uncertain, yet firing the head of the FDA would add to the chaos at HHS, where CDC and the Office of the Surgeon General already lack permanent leadership.

Calls To Action

*New* Make Your Voice Heard by Taking the Federal Employee Exit Survey. The Accountability and Reform Research Consortium (ARRC) invites federal employees who left service on or after November 5, 2024  or who are actively planning their departures to participate in a 20-minute survey to share their experiences and perspectives. Results will be reported publicly in aggregate form; individual responses are confidential. Take the survey by May 29.

*New* Submit your comments on NIH’s next strategic plan. NIH has published a brief outline of the agency’s strategic plan for FY27-31 on the Federal Register. Let them know what you think by May 26.

Add your name (or anonymous voice) to urge Congress to impeach OMB Director Russell Vought for unlawfully dismantling government services Americans rely on. The Impeach Vought campaign has 1,740+ signatures! Share the link with friends.

Urge the NIH Assembly of Scientists to support open dialogue.  NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya’s new “Scientific Freedom Lecture” series opened with a discussion on the origins of COVID-19, hosted by Matt Ridley (a vocal proponent of the controversial lab leak hypothesis), but with no balancing voice in opposition.  We urge the NIH Assembly of Scientists to engage in Dr. Bhattacharya’s public commitment to open dialogue by hosting a scientist who supports the animal origin theory of COVID-19.

Reach out to your members of Congress about issues that matter to you. Some possible topics:

Help the NIH Community: Review a resume, host a job workshop, plan a happy hour, volunteer, and/or advocate with 27 UNIHTED. Check out the links on our website to take action and volunteer. 

Upcoming Events

27 UNIHTED Events

Community Events

  • 5/11 - Punk rock group, ALLSTRIKE, a long-time Vigils ally, will be performing at Galactic Panther in DC on May 11 @ 7 pm ET. 

  • 5/13 - FedSupport Webinar — Understanding the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), recent board decisions and legal updates. The MSPB was put in place to protect the rights and integrity of the federal workforce.  Join experts to learn how the Board works and the decisions that are impacting it now. May 13, 6-7 pm ET. Registration required. 

  • 5/13 - Free webinar on modernizing NIH’s data and safety monitoring policy hosted by the NIH Office of Science Policy. Scientists, researchers, and the public are welcome, and feedback is requested. On NIH videocast 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET. Registration required.

Wellness Weekly

Our somewhat serious community recommendations for self care are:

  • Listen to music in a language you don’t know

  • Get into a song war with a bird

  • Start a new book in the middle. Try to figure out what happened. Go back to the beginning and find out if you were right.

  • Check out our new merch shop

  • Donate to your favorite non-profit supporting biomedical research, public health, and the federal scientific workforce

In solidarity,

27 UNIHTED and NIH Vigils

Anna
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27 UNIHTED / NIH Vigils Newsletter 5/2/26