NIH Vigils Newsletter 12/14/2025
Updates for the Week of December 13
The Good
27 uNIHted Hosts Successful “Punk Rock for Science” Fundraiser Featuring Vigil Favorite AllStrike
On Friday, December 12, the “Punk Rock for Science” event at Chacho Distillery and Bar in DC was a huge success! Featuring Allstrike, the Laterals, and Ammonite, plus delicious beef and vegetarian burgers from The Burger Coach, this event raised money to help keep the NIH mission alive through advocacy and community support.
Bethesda Declaration Signers Raced in the NIH Holiday Jingle Relay Run
On Thursday, December 11, several Bethesda Declaration signers ran as “The Bethesda Decla-Racers” and wore their “Courage is Contagious” best in an act of defiant joy. Now you can get your own gear!
The Bad
NIH’s “Banned Words” List is Expanding
Program officers have started receiving instructions from the NIH Office of Extramural Research to “remediate” grants because they include words and phrases like “pregnant individuals,” “racial/ethnic minorities,” “people of color,” and “racial and/or ethnic disparities” —despite health disparities being listed as an NIH priority. But many program staff are pushing back from the inside, fighting for these grants to remain funded without remediation.
NIH Leadership Doubles Down on Anti-DEI
NIH Director Jayanta Bhattacharya and Deputy Director Matthew Memoli published an article together in British conservative magazine The Spectator World, where they continued to spout right-wing ideological nonsense and tarnish the reputation of the NIH.
And the Ugly: Multiyear Funding is Back in Fiscal Year 2026
In fiscal year (FY) 2025, NIH required 50% of all new research dollars to “upfront” or “multiyear” fund grants. The policy is back in FY 26, at least through the end of January. This means that instead of paying four grants for one year each, NIH must pay all four years for just one grant. This Vought-conceived financial trick is a way to cut the NIH budget without cutting the budget. It will devastate the research community, causing labs to shutdown and researchers to leave science.
Calls to Action
Maryland Graduate Worker Collective Bargaining Rights
A supermajority of University of Maryland graduate workers have organized to form a union, yet still require state legislation to legally secure their collective bargaining rights. Despite their essential role in the university's teaching and research, these workers face low pay, instability, and no formal voice to negotiate improvements. A supportive bill passed the House, yet the Senate version stalled, leaving UMD graduate workers behind. Please support UMD graduate worker rights by signing the petition.
Help Shape the Future of American Science
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) invites comments and suggestions for accelerating U.S. scientific progress. You can provide input on funding, innovation, and research policies, in areas ranging from improving public-private collaboration, translating discoveries into market-ready technologies, and removing barriers to high-risk, high-reward research. Respond by December 26, 2025.
Continue to Call Your Representatives
In addition to defending science funding, healthcare, NIH, and former and current staff, please argue for an informed, scientific, data-driven ACIP panel and support Hep B vaccination at birth. When calling elected officials, please mention support for the SBIR/STTR program.
Please feel free to share this newsletter with people and groups you think would be interested.
Keep up the good trouble, and stay safe out there.
In solidarity,
NIH Vigils
Saturdays, 10:00 a.m., Medical Center Metro Station in front of the NIH Visitors Center.
Accessible parking is available at the Park and Ride. We recommend taking the Metro in. There is ample free parking at Grosvenor/Strathmore station one stop away.
This event is not sponsored by the NIH and views shared do not represent the NIH or the federal government.