27 UNIHTED / NIH Vigils Newsletter 7/12/26

Written By Cara AB

Hi NIH Vigilers and 27 UNIHTED Community,

Former NIH Director Monica Bertagnolli said it best in her essay this week:

“The United States became the world leader in biomedical science because it built a research ecosystem that no single sector could have created alone.  Government funds foundational discovery, translational research, and training.  Universities and medical centers provide expertise, infrastructure, and scientific communities.  Industry turns knowledge into products that reach patients.  Philanthropy fills gaps and often takes risks in areas that need additional support.  Each sector plays a crucial role in advancing US innovation and improving health.”

How is our research ecosystem faring?  Here are this week’s highlights:

Vigil “Auntie” News 

- The Good -

An unprecedented revolt against OMB’s proposed grant rule change

On May 29, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) quietly dropped a 412-page rewrite proposal of the rules governing more than $1 trillion in annual federal grants.  That’s scientific research but it’s also education, transportation, and everyday public programs.  If finalized, the rule would require grants to align with White House priorities, empower (read: actively encourage) political appointees to override expert review, and allow agencies to cancel active awards at any time under vague standards such as the “national interest.”  The typical public comment period is 60 days; OMB gave us 45 —through July 13—to respond.

Scientists, journals, and advocacy groups quickly sounded the alarm and urged the public to flood the docket.  The response has been extraordinary: more than 278,000 comments have been received, according to the Federal Register.  Opposition has spread far beyond the scientific community to universities, patient groups, biotechnology leaders, pharmaceutical companies, and professional societies.  The institutional pushback is equally striking.  Just this week, a coalition of 323 multi-sector organizations asked OMB to extend the comment period.  The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) called for the proposal to be withdrawn in its entirety.  Republican Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins urged OMB to withdraw provisions threatening scientific research and small and rural communities, following an earlier letter from dozens of Democratic senators demanding a full rescission. 

Across these responses, the same warnings recur:

  • Political review would subordinate scientific merit to ideological loyalty.

  • Mid-grant cancellations would endanger clinical trials, patients, and long-term research.

  • Restrictions on international collaboration, conferences, journals, and publication costs would isolate U.S. scientists and silo U.S. science.

  • Instability would drive away talent, discourage bold ideas, and weaken American competitiveness.

The bipartisan all-hands-on-deck energy is good news—but time is running out.  27 UNIHTED has published a run-down, Q&A, and comment guide in our Substack.  An unprecedented attack demands an unprecedented response, so make sure your voice is heard! 

Words, portraits, and public impact: 27 UNIHTED’s community in action

Three new 27 UNIHTED Substack articles examine what’s happening inside federal science from different angles.  The fourth installment of The Bethesda Declaration: One Year Later documents how abrupt changes to NIH funding, staffing, contracting, and grant policy are destabilizing research and eroding public trust—and calls for stronger congressional guardrails.  Part 6 of our fact-checking the NIH Director series examines the damage to early-career researchers, while a new public-facing autism explainer brings clarity to a subject increasingly distorted by federal officials and misinformation.  Meanwhile, 27 UNIHTED ally and collaborator Liz Ginexi testified at a House Oversight hearing on MKULTRA, warning representatives that current agency changes represent “the replacement of scientific judgment with political control.”  If that sounds like an unusual forum to defend NIH and challenge political interference in science, read her Substack to learn more.  Back in January, 27 UNIHTED gave its support to NIHer and artist “Paint Brains” for a series of 22 portraits honoring federal workers and their public-service contributions.  Crow’s Nest Baltimore is now showing a virtual exhibition of the paintings.  And more art: photographer and former federal official Andrew Cohen has created a 16-page photographic newsletter “No Ceremony: A Community Portrait of the Civil Service.”  Physical copies were shared at last Saturday’s NIH Vigil.

More Good News:

  • NIH announced a new parent F99/K00 funding mechanism that allows postdoctoral trainees to apply through any participating NIH Institute, Center, or Office rather than navigating a collection of topic-specific announcements.  And a new Notice of Information has narrowed the types of SBIR/STTR small business research innovation proposals that count against the 9-submission ceiling (per business, per fiscal year) implemented in April. 

  • Two opinion essays defend the value of public investment in research science.  Former NIH Director Monica Bertagnoli gives an inspiring rebuttal to last week’s Washington Post Op-Ed calling to “Abolish the NIH.”  A Nature commentary outlines 6 ways to build public engagement and trust towards a science system that truly serves everyone.

  • New federal funding for public health and biomedical research.  SAMHSA opened $281 million across 15 behavioral-health grant programs.  ARPA-H awarded up to $160 million to develop personalized treatments and clinical-trial models for rare pediatric diseases.  CIDRAP’s Vaccine Integrity Project and The Evidence Collective launched new research efforts to strengthen evidence-based vaccine policy.

  • Are House Republicans standing up for DEI?  Republicans on the Appropriations Committee are urging the FDA to preserve implementation of a 2022 law requiring clinical-trial diversity, arguing that representative enrollment is necessary to ensure drugs and medical devices are safe and effective for the patient population that will use them.

- The Bad -

NSF may gut core research to fund White House whims

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is reportedly preparing to claw back roughly $500 million from its engineering, computer science, mathematics, and physical sciences directorates.  The raid would force NSF to withdraw some grant proposals that have already passed peer review and were nearing approval.  As we discussed on June 28, Science broke news about NSF’s Congress-defying budget cuts to basic science, suggesting the money could be re-routed towards its new applied technology initiatives.  But according to a recent Nature scoop, that money may be going to the White House instead, to an unnamed project of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).  An anonymous NSF staffer was quoted as saying “We don’t know where the money’s going or what’s going on… We cannot communicate to the community at all.  We’re forbidden.”  NSF has been holding back around $1 billion of its appropriated budget which, if undistributed, would amount to a 30% cut for most directorates despite near-level appropriations from Congress.  Given NIH’s own slow grant rollout, it’s got us wondering whether the other federal research agencies might be next.  This is, after all, what it looks like when scientific funding is placed under the mercurial whims of political preference and executive dictate.

More Bad News:

  • Federal grant delays are hitting major Texas research institutions hard, with steep year-over-year declines in NIH and NSF awards at Texas A&M, Rice, the University of Houston, MD Anderson, and Baylor College of Medicine.  Even if funding increases later, experts warn that the uncertainty may disrupt research planning, hiring, and graduate admissions.

  • Picking up where his de facto boss Jay Bhattacharya left off, “fringe epidemiologist” Martin Kulldorff continued the CDC’s attack on test negative study designs, co-opting the agency’s first “Public Health Grand Rounds” seminar, which was nominally devoted to evaluating vaccine effectiveness. 

  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) employees working outside Washington, D.C. were reportedly given only 2 weeks to decide whether to report to the agency’s new headquarters - which has room for only half its total staff - or lose their positions.  The notices were sent by acting CFPB chief Russell Vought. 

  • More than 260,000 federal employees left the government amid DOGE-led cuts while the promised $2 trillion in federal savings are not evident.  Despite this, OMB Director Russell Vought told House Appropriations members that he has no plans for a closing report on DOGE activities or its dubious accomplishments (see Call to Action below to sign an Impeach Vought petition).

- The Ugly -

The Trump administration is trying to whitewash American history

National parks and Smithsonian museums have long served as trusted, family-friendly places where the public can encounter the achievements, conflicts, and contradictions of a complex and human American story.  Now Trump has placed them in his crosshairs in an attempt to replace nuanced historical truth with a sanitized vision of patriotism.  Pursuant to Executive Order 14253 the National Park Service removed at least 51 exhibits from 37 sites that aimed to educate visitors about topics like climate change and slavery but that the government claimed  “inappropriately disparage Americans past or living.”  U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley ordered the materials be restored in June, finding that the administration sought to present “a limited history” through “half-truths.”  The 1st Circuit has now lifted that injunction while the government appeals.  The White House did not stop to rest on that win, however, releasing a jaw-dropping  July 4th report accusing the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History of “extreme political activism” and declaring that its current leadership cannot be trusted.  In an even-tempered memo to staff, Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch said the report mischaracterized the museum’s work, which was focused on “a steadfast commitment to scholarship, nonpartisanship, independence, accuracy, and integrity.”  The Organization of American Historians went farther, framing the report as part of a larger effort to flatten American history into conservative ideology, and challenged the Executive Branch’s legal authority to direct the Smithsonian’s operations or policies.

More Ugly News:

  • Former Fauci advisers, NIAID scientists, and established virologists who helped lead the country’s defense against COVID-19 are falling victim, one by one, to what Daniel Engber in The Atlantic calls “Lab-Leak Payback”—an alleged campaign of political retribution over the contested origins of the pandemic.

  • Scientists are worried about the impact of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s public support for unproven stem-cell infusions as a treatment for autism.  According to The Guardian, U.S. clinics are purportedly administering these unapproved and potentially harmful injections to children as young as 18 months old while charging up to $20,000 a session.

  • The Election Assistance Commission sits empty after the White House pushed out its three remaining commissioners, leaving the once-independent agency unable to conduct official business or set policy as the midterms loom.  The purge comes amid administration pressure to reshape voting rules, including adding proof-of-citizenship requirements to the national voter registration form. 

Science Interrupted

Reflection from the Community

"The loss of my position reduced transparency around much-needed conservation projects to sustain a vital American fishery.  The money provided by the Inflation Reduction Act would have supported a viable salmon fishery and made good on promises to communities and treaties with tribal governments.  The loss of my position is just one part of a much greater loss to the American people, the consequences of which will be felt for generations."

-Former government employee (Probationary Project Survey)

Leadership Watch

The Senate HELP Committee has scheduled a July 15 joint confirmation hearing for Erica Schwartz, nominee for CDC Director, and Sean Kaufman, nominee for HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.  You can watch the hearing live at 10:00 am on Wednesday.  Several other health nominees remain in the Senate pipeline, including Surgeon General nominee Nicole Saphier and HHS Deputy Secretary nominee Chris Klomp, whose nomination will be handled by the Senate Finance Committee.  Meanwhile, the administration has announced the nomination of Mathew Wielecki to lead the Global Change Research Program, which puts out the National Climate Assessment.  Walecki has been a public skeptic of climate science and has no formal training in the area.

Upcoming Events

27 UNIHTED Events

Community Events

  • 7/13, 8:00 - 9:00 am - Rally: Morning of Solidarity with CFPB. Vought is again trying to destroy the agency that protects consumers.  Come show your support for CFPB staff at 445 12th St. SW.

  • 7/14, 9:30 am - 1:30 pm Camp Democracy:

    • This FREE camp will begin in the atrium of Hart, the Senate building.

    • 9:30 am Donuts served

    • 10:00 am Meet lawmakers

    • 11:00 am Play Senate office bingo

    • 12:00 pm Enjoy lunch

    • Enjoy some surprises, snacks and swag!

    • Sign up to receive a detailed schedule and “day of” tips for smooth entry and participation: 

  • 7/14, 1:30 pm - NIH Small Business 101.  NIH is hosting a free webinar series on small business funding opportunities (SBIR/STTR) on Tuesdays at 1:30 pm ET.

    • 7/14 - Building Your Budget

    • 8/18 - Managing Foreign Risk

  • 7/18, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm - Restore: A Day of Grounding and Care for Public Servants.  Wellfed is offering current federal workers a day of restorative activities, practical tools, and community support for navigating prolonged workplace stress and uncertainty.  Southwest Washington, D.C.  The exact location will be shared with registered participants.

  • 8/14, 10:00 am - 11:00 am - NIH videocast: Understanding NIH's Unified Funding Strategy: What the Research Community Needs to Know.  This new policy approach was announced last November and multiple IC Directors offered their perspectives in February.  Register through this form link. 

Calls To Action

*Ending Soon* Stop the political takeover of federal grantmaking by July 13

This is a 5-alarm fire!  Comment on the proposed Federal Financial Assistance rule, individually and with specific detail.  Former NIH Program Officer Liz Ginexi has drafted guidance on how to make your comments more effective, and 27 UNIHTED put out a short take action guide.  Federal Register OMB-2026-0034.  Currently at 278,884 public comments.

Add your name (or anonymous voice) on the petition to urge Congress to impeach OMB Director Russell Vought for unlawfully dismantling government services Americans rely on. WE’VE PASSED OUR 2,000 SIGNATURE GOAL!  Letter delivery coming soon. www.impeachvought.com/

Should NIH limit the number of simultaneously held research grants?

NIH has posted a new Request for Information notice that suggests limiting the number of research project grants (RPGs) that an individual investigator can hold simultaneously.  The intention is reasonable - to allow a larger number of researchers the opportunity to pursue their research ideas.  The suggested limits are 2, 3, or 4.  Importantly, the proposal does not indicate exceptions for small grants or multiple PI grants.  Researchers’ feedback on this proposal seems to be mixed, so if you want to share your thoughts, submit your feedback by August 4.

Endorse the Bethesda Declaration - One Year Later

A year after the release of the original Bethesda Declaration, NIH staff remain concerned.  The chaos of 2025 has been replaced with coordinated, systematic, institutionalized destruction in 2026.  If you share these concerns, be counted as a supporter of the Bethesda Declaration: One Year Later.  Learn more about the Bethesda Declaration Movement on 27 UNIHTED's Bethesda Declaration Hub.

Stand with EPA scientists

100+ EPA employees were fired for signing a Declaration of Dissent raising concerns about their working environment and recent policy changes.  Sign the petition to support these silenced staff members who were retaliated against for speaking out to protect science and public health.  Currently at 573 signatures.

Sign on for Scientific Integrity

The Union of Concerned Scientists has drafted a letter of support for the Scientific Integrity Act, which has been reintroduced to the Senate.  Let our leaders know that evidence-based decision-making is important to you by signing The Momentum for Scientific Integrity Action here.

Stand up for the National Science Board

On April 25, the Trump administration dismissed all sitting members of the National Science Board, an independent advisory group for the National Science Foundation.  Sign this open letter to Congress from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering & Medicine (NASEM), asking for the reinstatement of fired members and appointments for all vacant positions.  27 UNIHTED has added its organizational endorsement.  Currently at 3,489 public endorsements.

Reach out to your members of Congressabout 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. 

Wellness Weekly

Our somewhat serious community recommendations for self-care are:

  • Unsubscribe from one email list that has been quietly haunting you

  • Walk to the mailbox barefoot and in PJs

  • Watch a movie at home and think about how much money you are saving

In solidarity,

27 UNIHTED and NIH Vigils

Cara AB
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27 UNIHTED / NIH Vigils Newsletter 7/05/26