NIH staffers are speaking out against alleged political interference in research funding, accusing leadership of prioritizing “political momentum over human safety,” according to their Bethesda Declaration. They claim the NIH has terminated thousands of grants and contracts, totaling billions, impacting crucial areas of study like the ongoing impact of COVID-19 research. This declaration, backed by over 10,000 endorsements, criticizes actions including halting grants, terminating foreign collaborations, and firing staff. The primary keyword is NIH, with secondary_keyword funding cuts. Read this exclusive report from News Directory 3 for a vital breakdown. Discover what’s next in the funding process.
NIH Staffers Decry Political Interference in Research Funding
A group of National institutes of Health staffers has publicly condemned what they describe as political interference in research funding, issuing a letter known as the Bethesda Declaration. The letter states they “are compelled to speak up when our leadership prioritizes political momentum over human safety and faithful stewardship of public resources.”
The declaration was initially supported by 40 prominent researchers, including 20 Nobel laureates, and quickly gained over 10,000 endorsements.
The letter accuses NIH Director Dr.Bhattacharya of halting “high-quality, peer-reviewed grants and contracts” related to health disparities, COVID-19, long COVID, vaccines, climate change’s health impacts, and LGBTQ health. It also alleges the cancellation of grants aimed at diversifying the workforce.
According to the declaration, the NIH has terminated 2,100 research grants totaling approximately $9.5 billion and $2.6 billion in contracts as January 20, 2025.The staffers claim this has wasted billions in investments, betrayed commitments to patients and study volunteers, endangered clinical trial participants, and damaged public trust in research.
additional accusations include terminating foreign collaborations,overriding peer review processes,cutting indirect costs to universities,firing hundreds of staff,and withholding funds appropriated by Congress.
Bhattacharya responded to the letter by saying his staff have “some basic misconceptions about the policy directions the NIH has taken in recent months,” according to the Associated Press. He previously used the term “censorship” when scientists criticized his views on COVID-19 in the Great Barrington Declaration, which advocated allowing most peopel to become infected before a vaccine was available.
The NIH staffers who signed the Bethesda Declaration have risked their jobs to speak out, the letter said.
The letter urges action to combat the dismantling of biomedical research, public health, and healthcare. It calls for individuals to engage with senators and representatives during the upcoming budget and appropriations process.
