Biophysical Society Bulletin | October 2025

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Supreme Court Allows Trump Administration to Withhold $783 Million in NIH Grants In a significant setback for scientific researchers, the US Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to allow the Trump administration to withhold $783 million in National Institutes of Health grants, many of which were previously ordered to be reinstated by a lower court. The grants in question supported research on politically sensitive topics such as COVID-19; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and transgender health. Earlier this year, a federal District Court in Massachusetts ruled that the Trump administration’s termination of more than 2,300 grants was unlawful under the Administrative Procedure Act and discriminatory against marginalized groups. However, the Supreme Court’s majority argued that the District Court lacked jurisdiction and that the case should be heard in the Court of Federal Claims—a venue that cannot reinstate grants, only award monetary damages. Legal ex perts believe that this shift effectively prevents researchers from regaining their funding, no matter the merits of their claims. Around the World Europe’s Shift toward Dual-Use Research Researchers at a new marine research center in France are developing autonomous floating robots to form underwater antennas, illustrating the growing overlap between civilian and military research in Europe. Traditionally, European Union science funding through programs like Horizon Europe has strictly supported civilian projects, avoiding military or “dual-use” research. However, with geopolitical shifts—

especially the war in Ukraine and declining trust in trans-At lantic alliances—the European Commission is proposing to open the entire Horizon Europe program, with a €175 billion budget starting in 2028, to research with both civilian and military applications. This marks a significant departure from decades of clear sep aration between military and civilian research funding. While some parts of Horizon Europe, like the European Innovation Council, have begun funding dual-use projects, the new proposal would allow this across all Horizon Europe grants, including those for fundamental science. While the proposal awaits parliamentary approval, it signals the end of the long standing “steel walls” separating military and civilian research in Europe. As scientists and policymakers navigate this gray area, balancing security concerns with academic freedom remains a key challenge. Canadians Facing a 15% Budget Cut Researchers in Canada are pushing back against a 15% budget cut that Prime Minister Mark Carney plans to impose on most government departments. They argue that reducing spending on scientific research would go against Carney’s own empha sis on investing in the country’s future. Carney launched the spending review shortly after his election in April to deal with economic shocks from tariffs imposed by the United States and to ramp up military spending. He has asked each govern ment department to identify potential savings to be included in this year’s federal budget, expected in the fall, which will detail spending plans covering several years into the future. The budget normally comes out in the spring but was delayed this year by federal elections and economic uncertainty about tariffs. Canada’s three federal research councils noted that they had been asked to identify savings of up to 15% over three years by targeting “programs and activities that are un derperforming, not core to the federal mandate, duplicative, or misaligned with government priorities.” These proposals are still being developed, and no decisions have been made.

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