Statement on Supreme Court ruling in American Public Health Association v. NIH

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) and the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) are deeply disappointed by the Supreme Court’s fractured ruling that permits the administration, for now, to cancel nearly $800 million in NIH grants. This decision is already causing irreparable harm by shutting down laboratories, forcing layoffs, derailing early-career scientists, and wasting years of taxpayer-funded progress.

As emphasized in our joint amicus brief, the administration’s abrupt terminations undermine the nation’s research enterprise and put early-career scientists at particular risk.

However, we are encouraged that a majority of justices agreed the administration’s policy was likely unlawful. That recognition is critical, and we are reassured that they understood the devastating consequences this unlawful agency action will have in destabilizing federal science funding.

The stakes could not be higher. Stable, lawful funding is the backbone of U.S. leadership in science and innovation. We urge Congress, the administration, and the courts to act swiftly to vacate NIH’s unlawful directives, reinstate these grants, protect taxpayer investments, and safeguard the next generation of scientists who are essential to the nation’s health, security, and prosperity.

When federal science funding is politicized, it is America’s future that pays the price.

The First Circuit has established a briefing schedule on the merits of the government’s appeal, with the government’s opening brief due in mid-September. We are committed to vigorously defending the integrity of federal research funding and will continue to fight to protect the scientists it supports.