Summary

Trump’s team, led by NIH nominee Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, is exploring withholding federal research grants from “woke” universities deemed lacking in academic freedom.

Bhattacharya aims to tie NIH’s $25 billion in annual funding to free speech metrics and punish institutions accused of cancel culture.

He also plans reforms such as funding replication studies, limiting publication costs, and enacting term limits for NIH leaders.

Critics warn this politicization risks undermining scientific progress on critical diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s, while experts caution such changes would face significant implementation challenges.