The NIH and CDC are canceling billions in COVID-19 research funds, as internal documents indicate that the funds were intended solely for pandemic alleviation. The NIH has halted nearly 400 grants recently, including those related to COVID-19 and other social initiatives. Despite the perceived end of the pandemic, scientists argue that ongoing research is critical for pandemic preparedness, given the continuing impact of SARS-CoV-2. The NIH has awarded nearly $850 million for ongoing COVID-related research, highlighting its importance in understanding viral infection and responses to similar future threats.
Among the terminations at the NIH is a $577 million program to identify and develop antiviral drugs against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and six other types of viruses with pandemic potential. This type of research is essential for better preparation for future pandemics, as scientists emphasize the necessity of understanding how this virus infects people and the government's pandemic response.
The NIH, as the world’s largest public funder of biomedical research, has awarded grants to nearly 600 ongoing projects with ‘COVID’ in the title, amounting to nearly US$850 million. Together these projects constitute about 2% of the NIH’s $47 billion budget, marking a significant investment in understanding and combating the virus.
Collection
[
|
...
]