Judge Rules Some HHS Grant Cuts Illegal, Reinstates Funding

On June 16, a federal judge in Boston ruled that the Trump administration’s termination of National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants for research on diversity-related topics was “void and illegal,” Reuters reported.

U.S. District Judge William Young stated NIH violated federal law by canceling more than US$1 billion in research grants because of their connection to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The judge reinstated grants awarded to organizations and 16 Democratic-led states that sued over the terminations. As the case proceeds, the judge indicated he could issue a more sweeping ruling, CNN reported.

The judge said any discrimination by the government is wrong, and the court will intervene.

Still, the judge’s decision was an interim, and when the fine ruling is issued, it is expected to be appealed.

The NIH has long been the world’s largest public funder of biomedical research.