NIH to end billions of dollars in foreign research grants
2 days ago
- #research-funding
- #global-health
- #NIH
- NIH's new policy ends billions in funding to foreign labs and hospitals, affecting global-health projects and clinical trials.
- Foreign researchers must now apply for grants directly, with the policy citing national security and transparency concerns.
- The change could lead to lapses in funding for ongoing clinical trials abroad by October unless new funding is secured.
- Former NIH director Francis Collins warns of tragic consequences, including increased deaths from diseases like malaria and tuberculosis.
- The policy affects all foreign subawards, regardless of the country, and could terminate projects dependent on such funding.
- Global-health research, including on cancer and infectious diseases, will be significantly impacted, with potential long-term negative effects.
- Experts argue that cutting-edge research on diseases like malaria requires international collaboration and cannot be done solely from the US.
- Cancer research, especially on rare cancers, relies on international data pooling, which could be hindered by the new policy.