Court Reinstates NIH DEI Grants, Director Confirms No Renewals

Recent legal rulings have prompted the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to reconsider its approach to funding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) research. A series of court decisions has restored previously terminated grants, though concerns remain about the future of these programs.

Court Rulings and NIH’s Response

In June, a federal court in Boston ruled in favor of two lawsuits against the Trump administration’s NIH directives, resulting in the restoration of over 2,000 grants. This ruling effectively countered efforts to deprioritize DEI-related research.

Additionally, just this week, an agreement was reached between NIH and the plaintiffs to re-evaluate stalled DEI research applications. As a result, funding has been allocated to over 135 grants that were previously on hold.

NIH Director’s Comments on Grant Renewals

NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya recently indicated on a podcast that the restored grants may face termination when they come up for renewal. He stated, “We are not interested in funding DEI anymore.” This declaration raises questions about the ongoing support for restored grants and stalled proposals.

According to Bhattacharya, the NIH may not renew grants that were previously restored. This change reflects the agency’s shift in priorities, which has become increasingly influenced by political considerations in recent months.

Impact of Political Influences

In August, Bhattacharya announced a revised list of research priorities for the NIH. Following this, in December, program officers received guidance to ensure their projects aligned with these new priorities. Researchers have even begun renegotiating certain grants to better fit the current political climate.

Types of DEI Grants at NIH

• Renegotiated grants: Projects adjusted to meet current priorities.
• Terminated grants: Projects ended before court intervention.
• Restored grants: Projects reinstated due to court rulings but not aligned with NIH priorities.

Bhattacharya emphasized that the last category of grants, which were restored due to legal pressure, will not receive renewal. This statement highlights a definitive shift away from DEI in NIH’s funding strategies moving forward.

Looking Ahead

With the legal victories for DEI advocates, the future of these programs still appears precarious. The NIH’s funding policies are likely to evolve substantially in the coming months as political priorities take precedence.

As developments unfold, stakeholders within the research community remain vigilant, watching for changes that could impact the direction of public health research funded by the NIH.