The Trump administration has been impeding the issuance of new research grants by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) by not publishing grant meeting notices in the Federal Register, as required by law. This loophole has stalled the approval process for NIH grants, affecting research on various diseases ranging from Lyme disease to heart and lung conditions.

Despite a court order directing the NIH to operate normally, the administration’s actions have disrupted the grant-making process, causing concerns among researchers and officials. The ban on publishing meeting notices has put crucial research projects at risk, such as a $35 million study on heart and lung disease disparities in rural areas, led by Suzanne Judd from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Researchers like Brian Stevenson from the University of Kentucky, who studies Lyme disease-causing bacteria, have faced grant review cancellations, jeopardizing their vital work. The delays in grant funding not only threaten ongoing research but also impact the future of graduate students and the scientific community as a whole.

The paralysis of NIH grants could have long-lasting effects, with potential funding losses if the issue is not resolved before the next grant cycle in May. Experts warn that the administration’s actions are hindering critical scientific advancements and could lead to significant setbacks in understanding and treating diseases.