NIH Avoided Cuts, but Lacks Permanent Leaders in Top Posts

"But, as the agency that touts itself as the world's largest public funder of biomedical research marches forward with full funding this year, it lacks permanent directors to lead it. Fifteen directors of the 27 institutes and centers that comprise the agency are in an acting capacity. Directors have departed for multiple reasons, including terminations by the Trump administration and resignations."

""The institute or center director is really responsible for setting the direction of that center, including implementing the funding priorities or the funding strategy," said Heather Pierce, senior director of science policy for the Association of American Medical Colleges. While she said the acting directors are "highly competent," it's "important to have someone who is a permanent position in that role who can guide that forward.""

The National Institutes of Health received a congressional budget increase to over $47 billion for the fiscal year, avoiding a proposed 40 percent cut and maintaining grant allocations. Despite full funding, 15 of 27 institute and center directors are serving in acting capacities after departures caused by terminations and resignations. The leadership vacancies create uncertainty about future research funding strategies for NIH scientists and external university investigators reliant on NIH grants. Institute and center directors determine funding priorities and strategies, and stakeholders are watching how the agency will allocate grant dollars under interim leadership. A lawsuit alleges a former institute director was ousted.

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