NIH Memo Directs Staff To Pause Cancellations Of Medical Research Grants

June 26, 2025

The New York Times (6/25, Mueller) reports a senior NIH official “has directed agency staff members not to cancel any additional research projects” in the wake of “two court rulings taking issue with the axing of medical research grants” by the Trump Administration. The internal memo marks a “retreat by the agency,” which has “slashed funding for medical research by ending hundreds of awards.” The memo, sent by Michelle Bulls, who helps oversee the agency’s external funding arm, reads, “Effective immediately, please do not terminate any additional grant projects.” It also instructs staff members to pause the cancellation of grants that were in the queue to be “terminated.” It is unclear “how long the directive” will “hold.” Neither the NIH nor HHS “responded to a request for comment on Wednesday.”