NIH Faces Further Layoffs and Budget Cuts Amid Restructuring Efforts

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is facing significant challenges as it grapples with a new round of layoffs and proposed budget cuts, raising concerns about the future of biomedical research in the United States.

Additional Layoffs Hit NIH and National Cancer Institute

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced a new wave of layoffs at the NIH, affecting 250 employees. This latest round of cuts includes 50 workers from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), primarily impacting the agency's communication office. These staff members were responsible for managing programs that provide information to physicians and patients, as well as maintaining databases of cancer information for healthcare providers.

An HHS spokesperson stated, "Guided by President Trump's Executive Order, the department remains focused on cutting wasteful bureaucracy, eliminating duplicative administrative roles and allowing HHS to redirect resources where they're most needed—delivering better outcomes for the American people."

This recent action follows a larger layoff announcement on March 27, which affected 10,000 employees across HHS, including 1,000 at the NIH. The total number of full-time employees expected to be terminated from the March and April efforts is approximately 20,000, representing nearly 25% of HHS's workforce.

Proposed Budget Cuts and NIH Restructuring

Alongside the layoffs, the Trump administration has put forward a "skinny budget proposal" for 2026 that would significantly reduce NIH funding. The plan calls for a $17.97 billion cut to the NIH budget, representing a nearly 40% reduction from the previous year.

Furthermore, the proposal includes a dramatic restructuring of the NIH, consolidating its 27 centers and institutes into just five entities. The fate of the NCI within this new structure remains unclear, with HHS redirecting inquiries to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

These developments have raised concerns among researchers and healthcare professionals about the potential impact on ongoing studies and patient care. James Gilman, M.D., who recently retired as CEO of the NIH Clinical Center, expressed his worries: "If you had someone in your family with a rare or refractory disease, you'd look every place you possibly could other than the NIH because of all of the turmoil going on there."

Challenges for NIH Clinical Center and Research Programs

The NIH Clinical Center, the largest U.S. hospital dedicated solely to medical research, is reportedly struggling to maintain its operations amid the staff reductions. According to recent reports, fewer patients are receiving treatment, and some studies are facing months-long delays due to the disruptions.

The uncertainty surrounding future staffing levels has prompted some scientists to cancel study launches, and there are indications that some pharmaceutical companies are reconsidering research agreements and the provision of investigational treatments for trials.

Despite these challenges, an HHS spokesperson maintained that the agency "remains deeply committed to its mission of advancing research and delivering high-quality care to patients."

As the scientific community grapples with these changes, nineteen states and the District of Columbia have filed a lawsuit against HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., seeking to prevent the further dismantling of the agency. The plaintiffs argue that the recent actions violate congressional instructions, the U.S. Constitution, and various statutes governing the department's programs and funding.