Stand Up for Science condemns latest NIH grant cancellations

Stand Up for Science is blasting the National Institutes of Health after the agency canceled two more research grants tied to health disparities and socioeconomic factors, with more cuts expected. The group says the move threatens near-finished public health research and signals a broader rollback of work labeled as diversity, equity and inclusion.

Why it matters: - The latest NIH cancellations target research on how health outcomes connect to socioeconomic factors. - Stand Up for Science says the cuts waste public money by ending projects that are close to completion. - The group warns that more grant terminations are likely.

What happened: - Stand Up for Science responded to reporting in Science that NIH canceled two ongoing research grants. - The grants focused on connections between health and socioeconomic factors. - NIH said the grants were terminated because they did not align with the agency’s priorities. - Dr. Colette Delawalla, founder and CEO of Stand Up for Science, criticized NIH Director Bhattacharya for backing the move. - Delawalla said the cancellations are part of the administration’s campaign against “DEI.”

The details: - NIH changed its contract language before canceling the grants. - The new language gives NIH broader authority to end awards that do not align with agency priorities. - Delawalla said the policy change gives NIH more legal cover for cancellations. - Delawalla also said canceling near-complete public health studies wastes millions of dollars. - NIH canceled more than 1,700 grants in 2025, and those grants were later restored.

Between the lines: - The grant cancellations show how federal research policy is shifting from funding continuation to tighter priority-based review. - Health disparities research appears to be under particular pressure as agencies reassess work connected to DEI. - The added contract language suggests NIH is trying to reduce legal risk while preserving flexibility to cut awards.

What's next: - Stand Up for Science expects additional grant cancellations. - Delawalla said she is available for comment. - The dispute is likely to keep focus on how NIH defines its priorities and which research areas remain vulnerable.

The bottom line: - NIH is using new contract language to justify more grant cuts, and critics say the move could shut down costly public health research before it delivers results.