Russell Vought, head of the Office of Management and Budget, has reportedly been given veto power over all grants awarded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), according to reports from The Washington Post, The New York Times and Politico. The NIH, the largest funder of biomedical research in the world, with a $47 billion budget, supports a wide range of research, from basic biological studies to clinical trials. This move has sparked concern among scientists and policymakers, who fear a politicisation of research funding.

Earlier this year, Vought attempted to limit and control research funds, terminating grants on topics such as pandemic preparedness and health disparities and proposing a budget that would significantly reduce the NIH’s funding. These efforts were rejected by Congress and a court. In response, Vought proposed new grant funding rules that would make political considerations a key factor in determining which grants are funded. However, these rules were put on hold by Congress.

The NIH, which funds academic researchers at universities, plays a crucial role in the biotechnology industry. By giving Vought the power to veto individual grants, the administration could potentially steer research towards politically aligned projects. Critics argue that this move could stifle scientific progress and limit the scope of research.