6 sources·Health

Lawsuit Challenges NIH's Funding Cancellations Amid Ideological Purge

A coalition of health researchers is suing the NIH, claiming unconstitutional cancellations of essential research grants related to health disparities and public health.

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  1. US health secretary and agency sued by 23 states and DC over $11bn funding cut

    The lawsuit argues that the justifications given for the funding cuts were legally flawed, and that the cuts violate federal law and jeopardize public health.

    US health secretary and agency sued by 23 states and DC over $11bn funding cut

    The GuardianThe Guardian·1d
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  2. ACLU sues Trump administration over NIH grant cancellations

    The NIH has terminated at least 678 research projects, including some that the agency “is statutorily required to research.”

    ACLU sues Trump administration over NIH grant cancellations

    The HillThe Hill·1d
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  3. Scientists sue NIH, saying politics cut their research funding

    The suit aims to restore the money and end the terminations, arguing they violate NIH’s usual science-based review process, specific orders from Congress to tackle health equity and disparities, and federal regulations.

    Scientists sue NIH, saying politics cut their research funding

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  4. Scholars, groups sue Trump administration over canceled NIH research funding

    The cancellation of projects won’t just hurt researchers, she said, it will halt treatments for patients and could even cost people their lives.

    Scholars, groups sue Trump administration over canceled NIH research funding

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  5. New Lawsuit Challenges the Trump Administration’s Devastating Research Cancellations

    The lost funds have also forced Charlton to close the LGBTQ Health Center of Excellence at Harvard, which relied almost entirely on NIH funding—a reality she calls “devastating.”

    New Lawsuit Challenges the Trump Administration’s Devastating Research Cancellations

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  2. The Hill
  3. Associated Press
  4. CNN
  5. NBC News
  6. Mother Jones

Updated: Apr 2nd, 2025, 10:13 PM ET

Summary

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

A coalition including health researchers and unions has filed a lawsuit against the NIH for allegedly canceling hundreds of research grants without valid justification, claiming these actions violate federal laws. The lawsuit argues that the terminations were politically motivated and compromise vital studies aimed at addressing important public health issues, including cancer, HIV prevention, and mental health. Critics express concern that this ideological purge undermines the integrity of scientific research and threatens advancements in critical health fields. The NIH has not publicly responded to the lawsuit, amidst broader claims of political interference.


Perspectives

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  • The NIH's abrupt cancellation of research grants is described as an "ideological purge," undermining critical medical research and violating federal law.

  • The lawsuits argue that the cancellations lack scientific justification and disrupt vital public health and medical research initiatives, potentially jeopardizing patient care.

  • Key issues affected include studies related to diversity, health disparities, and major health threats such as HIV and cancer, with serious implications for scientific integrity and equity.


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