Sun Aug 03 14:40:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

A federal judge ordered the reinstatement of 891 biomedical research grants that were improperly terminated by the Trump administration due to their focus on topics like gender identity, health disparities, vaccine hesitancy, and DEI efforts. While researchers celebrated, the process of restoring funding and restarting projects has been plagued by confusion, delays, and challenges like staffing changes, shortened deadlines, and continued hostility towards certain research areas. Some researchers are struggling to resume their work with limited time and resources, while others face ongoing funding freezes or the risk of future grant reversals. Despite the obstacles, many researchers are committed to continuing their work and hope for the best.

**News Article:**

**Researchers Face Hurdles Despite Reinstatement of NIH Grants Cut Under Trump Administration**

**BOSTON, MA -** After a federal judge in June ordered the reinstatement of 891 biomedical research grants improperly terminated under the Trump administration, many scientists across the country are facing significant challenges in reviving their projects. The grants, focused on topics like gender identity, health disparities, vaccine hesitancy, and DEI efforts, were cut due to what a judge deemed “illegal and void” terminations.

In New England, 63 grants worth $126 million are slated to be restored. However, researchers are reporting confusion, delays, and difficulties rebuilding their teams and research infrastructure. Ethan Moitra at Brown University, whose study on the pandemic’s impact on the mental health of LGBTQ+ individuals was initially halted, is now scrambling to complete his work with only weeks left.

“It’s great news, but a weird twist,” Moitra said, highlighting the challenges of restarting a project after months of uncertainty and team disruption.

The reinstatement follows a lawsuit filed by the American Public Health Association and 16 state attorneys general. While attorneys for the association noted that over 50 of the affected research grants across the country have not been reinstated, and that the NIH has not provided a timeline for when all grants will be restored. Some institutions, like Harvard, continue to face funding freezes, while others grapple with reduced staffing and shortened deadlines. Researchers also fear further appeals and reviews, as some report continued pressure from the NIH to rewrite grants to avoid certain topics.

Scott Delaney, a Harvard scientist, expressed concern that “Every indication is that NIH will continue to cut research on trans health and on DEI. They still remain hostile to broad bodies of research, and they continue to ask researchers to rewrite their grants to avoid certain topics.”

Despite the obstacles, many researchers are determined to move forward. Nancy Krieger at Harvard, despite having her funding restored, faces a federal freeze on funds to Harvard.

At Tufts University, the reinstatement of a program for postdoctoral scholars has been a rollercoaster, with rescinded job offers and concerns about future funding instability. At Yale, professor John Pachankis is struggling to revive mental health interventions for the LGBTQ+ community that were disrupted by the initial funding cuts.

The NIH stated that it “has been working to reinstate grants to comply with the court’s order.” However, the road to recovery for these vital research projects remains uncertain, with researchers balancing renewed hope with the reality of ongoing challenges.

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