Jeremy Berg

2015 here we come…

A brief sigh and a smile and then a head shake and an exasperated groan…

Not only has the NIH terminated hundreds of grants, they’re also giving out far fewer grants than appropriate for their budget. Some researchers will have to close their labs or severely cut back their research. This is a self-inflicted wound.

In addition to the R13s, I see 7 K00, 1 P30, 3 R00, 4 R37 as new or competitive renewal grants.

Still not great, but better. If NIH and NCI have not received spending authority from OMB, they can't make new awards

The timelines regarding when all of this changes are unclear (but I will track them)

Stand Up for Science plans second rally on March 7 Public health chaos and research funding cuts are inspiring nationwide pro-science protests against the Trump administration

Scientific American article about Stand Up for Science events.

www.scientificamerican.com/article/stan...

Find you local March 7th event here:

www.standupforscience.net

a cartoon cat with the words now im concerned on a number of levels ALT: a cartoon cat with the words now im concerned on a number of levels

All in all, this update reveals a number of issues to be concerned about:

(1) Slow pace of grant making, particularly for new and competitive renewal grants

(2) OMB apportionment delays as a possible cause

(3) Slow pace of institutional training grants

(4) Increased use of multiyear funding

9/9

Multiyear funding

Of the new and competitive renewal awards made in fiscal year 2026, 25.2% have be multiyear funded.

This compares with 3.7% and 4.6% through the same date in fiscal years 2024 and 2025 respectively.

8/9

Institutional training grants (T32)

In FY 2026, there have been 26 T32 awards (not including 2 supplements). All are competitive renewals

This compares with 66 incl 22 new or comp renewal awards through 2/27 in FY2025 and 86 incl 27 new or competitive renewal awards through 2/27 in FY2024.

7/9

22 of 25 institutes and centers with funding authority (and the Office of the Director) have made awards in fiscal year 2026.

377 R01s and 35 R35 awards have been made involving 13 institutes.

6/9

A line graph showing the number of NIH new and competitive renewal awards funded in fiscal year 2026 compared to fiscal years 2020-2025. The fiscal year 2026 curve lies below the other curves and appears to be flattening out somewhat. A total of 840 awards have been made in fiscal year 2026.

New and competitive renewal awards

Fewer than 40 new awards were made in the past week, compared to over 100 the previous week.

5/9

A line graph showing the number of NIH non-competitive renewal awards funded in fiscal year 2026 compared to fiscal years 2020-2025. The fiscal year 2026 curve lies below the other curves and appears to be flattening out somewhat.

Non-competitive renewal awards

This curve also shows evidence for flattening in the past week.

4/9

White House stalls release of approved US science budgets The US Congress rejected sweeping cuts to science agencies. But the NIH, the NSF and NASA have had their spending slowed.

This flattening may be due to the apportionment issue covered in the recent Nature story.

www.nature.com/articles/d41...

3/9

A line graph showing the number of NIH projects funded in fiscal year 2026 compared to fiscal years 2020-2025. The fiscal year 2026 curve lies below the other curves and appears to be flattening out somewhat.

All projects

The fiscal year 2026 appears to be flattening out a bit in the past week.

2/9

A photo of Doc Brown from Back to the Future holding jumper cables labelled "Deranged Activist" with a grant of NIH funding curves below it.

My weekly update on NIH funding

This includes awards made through 2/27/26

Warning: This thread contains data compiled by a known deranged_activist™. Do not read while operating heavy machinery.

1/9

A more complete set of voices in a companion piece.

www.cnn.com/2026/03/05/h...

Six federal scientists run out by Trump talk about the work left undone | CNN Federal data shows the NIH lost about 4,400 people — more than 20% of its workforce. Scientists say the departures harm the U.S.’ ability to respond to disease outbreaks, develop treatments for chroni...

Compelling story from KFF News/CNN

Listen to the sound clips to get a clear sense of what has been happening at NIH.

www.cnn.com/2026/03/05/h...

My quote of the day

If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.

George Orwell

if there tiktok videos sending up your software, and they go uber-viral because *everyone has experienced your software doing what they're making fun of*, maybe it's, like, bad software?

#womenshistorymonth #Histmed

Is there such a thing as "gold standard union busting"?

Supporting the NIH fellows union. Which legally speaking DOES still exist. Regardless what the administration tries to claim.

I, too, sit with lots of rage.

But I also stand up with rage!

JOIN US MARCH 7th! NATIONWIDE! Let’s pull every lever. Together.

Shoutout to @27unihted.bsky.social for all their advocacy on the SBIR/STTR program.

Former NINDS Director, Dr. Walter Koroshetz, was a fabulous mentor. "I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for Walter Koroshetz," says Dr. Meghan Mott.

I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for Walter Koroshetz. It’s rare to have the chance to learn from someone who is as exceptional as they are modest. Walter taught me about work ethic… | Me... I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for Walter Koroshetz. It’s rare to have the chance to learn from someone who is as exceptional as they are modest. Walter taught me about work ethic, pers...

Moving post by Meghan Mott about mentorship and former NINDS Director Walter Koroshetz.

www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...

Do America's Top Health Research Officials Stick Around Too Long? Critics argue that NIH directors should have term limits. Others say leadership continuity matters. Who's right?

Interesting story (and beautiful graphic) from Undark about how long NIH institute directors stay (and should stay) in their positions.

undark.org/2026/03/04/t...

Thanks for the confirmation. I had some concerns that my registration was blocked because... deranged activist.

I just tried to register.

The March date is already listed as Full!

I did register for the April date. You have a chance to enter questions. I don't know if there will be another opportunity to do this.

NIH Office of Extramural Research announcements of feedback sessions for NIH-wide strategic plan for March 16 and April 8.

IMPORTANT---IMPORTANT---IMPORTANT

NIH is seeking input for the NIH-wide Strategic Plan. Open to everyone but Registration is Required!

Your chance to listen and get your 2 or more cents in.

grants.nih.gov/news-events/...

Glad to see this. Keeping your eyes on the prize.