NIH Vigils Newsletter 12/28/2025

Updates for the Week — Holiday Edition

What we achieved together in the past year:

Rallies, Big and Small

From “Kill the Cuts,” to “Sick of it,” to “No Kings,” we were joined by you, elected officials, patients, and others to voice our opposition to the politicization of science, cuts to research, terminated clinical trials, and the loss of patient access to novel treatments. 

Walkout During the NIH Director’s First Town Hall

NIH scientists and staff asked pointed questions and walked out to mark their dissent from the egregious accusations and harmful policies presented at the first town hall meeting by new director Jayanta Bhattacharya. 

Refusal to Obey in Advance

We fought for every grant and against every adverse, politically motivated termination. We lost many battles, but we won some. It always took courage, but it paid off—from reinstatement of staff to the launch of a large autism initiative that we ensured was scientifically sound.

Refusal to be Silenced

Hundreds of NIH workers signed the Bethesda Declaration, calling on NIH and HHS leadership to uphold scientific integrity, listen to experts, and respect the knowledge and experience of the 20,000-plus people that make up the NIH community. 

Meeting of Bethesda Declaration Signers With Director Bhattacharya

A group of Bethesda Declaration signers met with the NIH Director to press for scientific excellence and academic freedom, push back on harmful policies, and offer their expertise to inform decision making.

Helping the Community Endure the Longest Furlough

During the 43 days of government shutdown, we joined forces with 27 uNIHted to  support impacted federal workers and contractors. Together, we gathered hundreds of pounds of food (with Manna and WellFed) and collected close to $25,000 in donations. 27 uNIHted built a community of hundreds of NIH supporters, including patients, neighbors, and scientists.

Building the NIH Vigil Community

Every Saturday at 10:00 a.m. since May 3, 2025, we have been physically here—informing, sharing, supporting, standing together, and building the relationships that make our actions stronger and more cohesive. As NIH staff, we serve the American public and people around the world. You are why we keep going through adversity. We thank you for your continued support. 

Our New Year’s Resolutions are:

Continue to Lead by Example

Since the publication of the Bethesda Declaration, nine additional dissent letters have been made public, identifying and highlighting specific harms this administration is inflicting on multiple areas of government. From FEMA to NASA, EPA to NSF, CDC to VA, HUD to DOJ, we have slowed down the destruction by DOGE and Russell Vought. Standing up takes courage. Standing up inspires others. Thank you for standing up with us. 

Demand Accountability From HHS and NIH Leadership

HHS and NIH leadership have set a course of destruction for biomedical research and public health in America. We will continue to provide science-based and data-driven information, and we will continue to point to the failures and deliberate harms produced by those in power today, their agenda and misinformation. Accountability today, for justice tomorrow. 

Grow Our Community

The NIH Vigils, 27 uNIHted, and our many allies have reached far and wide this year. For 2026, we need to reach farther. With midterm elections coming in November, we need to reach to our neighbors, our organizations, and our relatives to tell them why we care for research and healthcare, and why they should care too. 

Defend Democracy

Continue to join the NIH Vigil and stand up for democracy by the bravest of acts: showing up! Speak up, call your members of Congress in support of science, healthcare, public health, science- and data-driven policies, NIH, the Small Business “SBIR/STTR” program, and former and current federal workers. And as always, 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.