ROCHESTER — Michael Bronstein, a sociologist at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, finds himself in a frustrating position. His research on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among people with severe mental illness has faced challenges. Although a lawsuit recently forced the federal government to reinstate many canceled grants, Bronstein’s funding is still in limbo.
“The government isn’t releasing the second year of funding,” he said. “We’re stuck.”
Since President Trump’s second term began, the Department of Health and Human Services has seen numerous changes. These include significant layoffs and the termination of many research grants. According to Eleanor Dehoney from Research!America, the number of canceled grants peaked at 1,799, but around 860 have been brought back.
As of now, eight NIH grants in Minnesota remain canceled, including crucial studies at the Mayo Clinic. One of these focused on creating educational resources for healthcare providers assisting cancer patients from sexual and gender minorities.
This year’s NIH grants have significantly dropped to 12,588, down from an average of over 16,000 in previous years. Areas such as mental health have experienced cuts as high as 43%. Many researchers now receive their funding in one lump payment instead of phased disbursements, making it even harder to support ongoing projects.
Rochester, home to a leading medical research center, feels the financial strain acutely. A Brookings Institution study noted that the city has the highest NIH funding per capita in the U.S., making it particularly vulnerable to funding changes.
Dehoney warned of a potential 15% cap on indirect research costs, which could harm large institutions like Mayo Clinic. Although a judge has temporarily blocked this cap, the looming uncertainty still affects research opportunities.
Many early-career researchers feel demoralized due to these funding cuts. Dehoney observed, “There’s so much that has stopped… universities are hesitant to hire new researchers.”
For Bronstein’s team, progress is painfully slow. They struggle to find funds to pay graduate students for crucial tasks. “Research funding is more precarious now, making it tough to support students,” he noted.
This ripple effect from funding cuts not only impacts research outcomes but also the future workforce in the field. Each day, dedicated researchers face an uphill battle to secure the funds needed to continue their important work.
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