National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Jay Bhattacharya reportedly refused President Donald Trump’s directive to cut Harvard University’s federal research funding during a September 18 Oval Office meeting, according to reports first published by Politico and detailed by The Harvard Crimson. The disagreement surfaced as the administration weighed tighter political oversight of biomedical research grants, with Harvard remaining a persistent focal point following previous legal battles over canceled grants.
Proposed Executive Order and Oversight Board:
During the discussions, President Trump directed Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought to draft an executive order establishing a specialized board to control which NIH grants receive funding. Under the proposed structure, both Bhattacharya and Vought would sit on the board, requiring unanimous approval for funding allocations. This initiative mirrors prior efforts by Vought to secure greater political control over the approximately $48 billion allocated annually to congressional appropriations for the NIH.
Background on Funding Disputes and Legal Challenges:
The friction follows extensive administration efforts to block nearly $2.7 billion in Harvard research funding, a move successfully challenged by the university in federal court. Observers, including former Brown University public health dean Ashish K. Jha, noted that Bhattacharya’s longstanding professional background and connections to academic researchers likely influenced his resistance. While Bhattacharya declined to comment on the reports, the administration continues to face broader legal scrutiny regarding federal funding and grant terminations across scientific institutions.
