The White House is reportedly drafting an executive order that would establish an external committee with the authority to review and potentially veto grants awarded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This proposed committee would include political appointees such as Russell Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, and would require unanimous approval for grant decisions. ([monorepo-sample1.nyt.net](https://monorepo-sample1.nyt.net/2026/09/20/science/nih-omb-grants-bhattacharya-vought.html?utm_source=openai))
The NIH, with a budget of approximately $47 billion, is the largest funder of biomedical research globally. Its grants support a wide range of research, from basic biological studies to clinical trials, and have been instrumental in advancing medical knowledge and treatments. ([theintelligent.us](https://theintelligent.us/health/2026/white-house-drafts-executive-order-external-review-nih-research-grants?utm_source=openai))
During a recent Oval Office meeting, Vought criticized the NIH for funding initiatives he described as “woke” and misaligned with the administration’s priorities. He proposed the creation of a commission to oversee and potentially veto NIH grants that do not conform to the president’s agenda. Bhattacharya defended the NIH’s existing grant-making process, emphasizing its reliance on scientific merit and peer review. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/09/18/vought-pushes-scrutiny-nih-grants-oval-office-clash//?utm_source=openai))
This move has raised concerns within the scientific community about the potential politicization of research funding. Critics argue that introducing a political layer to the grant approval process could undermine the integrity of scientific research and hinder progress in critical health areas. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/sep/20/trump-order-nih-health-research-funding-board?utm_source=openai))
Legal challenges are also emerging. A group of researchers has filed a lawsuit against the NIH, alleging that the administration’s actions amount to viewpoint discrimination and violate the First Amendment. They contend that the government’s use of funding power to target or silence disfavored viewpoints within the biomedical research community is unconstitutional. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/sep/20/trump-order-nih-health-research-funding-board?utm_source=openai))
As the administration moves forward with this proposed executive order, the balance between political oversight and scientific independence remains a contentious issue, with potential implications for the future of biomedical research funding in the United States.