Research funding stories

Sep 23, 2026

White House cancels executive order that would have increased control over NIH grants

The Trump administration is scrapping plans for an executive order that would have given the White House greater influence over grant decision-making at the National Institutes of Health. The decision follows pushback from lawmakers, including Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins.

Sep 23, 20266 sources

Top claims

▪Senator Patty Murray welcomed the news that the White House dropped plans for the proposed executive order in a statement on September 23, 2026.
▪The proposed executive order aimed to curtail diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in scientific research funded by the National Institutes of Health.
▪A stopgap government funding bill passed in September 2026 blocked a prior Office of Management and Budget proposal, known as the Uniform Guidance proposed rule, which sought to give political appointees authority to review federal grants.

People involved

Susan Collins Donald Trump

Subtopics

Congressional oversight1 Executive Orders1 Government and Regulatory Policy1 Trump administration policy1

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