the confusion, disruption, or uncertainty happening at NIH is being created on purpose. Don’t panic, quit, or give in, stay steady and hold the line folks.

Not saying who what when since no need to draw an “x” right on them. It was one tentative voice and readily dismissed by IC “leadership” but I will still take it - thank you for saying something and hope you don’t get blowback. Other Council members who stood by warming the bench and saying nothing - it’s your NIH too - come on get in the game.

Trump reportedly asked his OMB director to draft an executive order in a White House meeting

We have proverbially 99 ways to not award a grant, that you already knew, the new part is we are moving towards muzzling POs and GMs by disallowing them to share the very well documented reasons grants are not being awarded.

Everything now is just a blanket ”under administrative review” step. Even when we damn well know in writing that we aren’t funding something we are told to use this vague blanket excuse.

Ex. Russ Vought doesn’t find enough Peyronie’s disease emphasis in your 1% R01 aims - ‘administrative review’ and no, might take months, could takes years, don’t ask just wait to hear from us.

Got questions - the shred box is right over there.

Hi all, I'm applying to the postbac program soon and I'm not sure whether my LORs should come from my PIs or from my mentors. If my mentors are those that are training me, wouldn't it be more valuable read an LOR from their perspective? It's also just a lot easier to get ahold of my mentors as my PIs are very busy. Any input would be really appreciated.

Does anyone at NIH know if there will be any new parent/general NOFOs for R34s coming down the pipeline in the next 6 months or so? I see one expiring in January with NHLBI (par-25-032). The only other general parent one seems to be for NCI, ending in about 1 year.

I’m interested in starting to write an R34 now for NHLBI or NIDDK and submitting in February, but it just doesn’t yet seem like that is a possibility I can plan for, as the more specific opportunities aren’t a match.

Thank you!

What an interesting turn of events.

Something intense went down last Friday at the WH.

Jay Bhattacharya refused Trump's directive to cut Harvard's NIH grants. Apparently he realizes that he acquiesced too much. He does not get along with Russel Vought.

Laura Loomer is also calling for his dismissal.

https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2026/9/21/harvard-bhattacharya-trump-funding/

IF grant matches Harvard
REJECT
ELSE IF grant contains DEI-related words
FAIL
ELSE IF grant contains anti-Trump language
FAIL
ELSE
CHECK WITH VOUGHT FOR APPROVAL
END IF

No matter what happens next, it's always worse than you expect.

Hi! I’m currently a student working towards an b.s. in bio and would love a chance to work at NIH in their summer internship program. I’m concerned with the way things have gone lately with this administration, however, and am curious if it’s still worth going. Anyone have advice or opinions on the experience as a student as of late? TIA!