Attorney General Keith Ellison, joined by a group of 16 attorneys general, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration over alleged illegal disruptions to National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant funding. The coalition filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts, challenging the administration's actions relating to the review and issuance of NIH grants.
Ellison claims the administration delayed the review of NIH grant applications and terminated hundreds of existing grants. Ellison stated, “Donald Trump and his administration cannot just ignore the will of Congress and unilaterally slash funding for that life-saving medical research.”
The lawsuit emphasizes the typical two-step review process for NIH grants, which includes assessment by a study section and further evaluation by an advisory council. According to the coalition, the administration has canceled and delayed meetings needed for this review process, withholding decisions on pending applications. This delay impacts the plaintiff states that are waiting for billions in research funding.
The coalition further alleges that recent grant terminations by NIH were influenced by projects focusing on “DEI,” “transgender issues,” and “vaccine hesitancy,” among others. These terminations reportedly affected projects that have already begun, with NIH citing these projects "no longer effectuates agency priorities." Such actions have already led to disruptions in ongoing research efforts in states like Minnesota, where tens of millions of dollars in grants are reportedly at risk.
The attorneys general argue that NIH is neglecting its duties by postponing meetings, delaying reviews, and canceling grants. They stress that the administration cannot refuse to allocate funds appropriated by Congress. The lawsuit seeks to ensure timely review and decision-making on delayed grant applications and to stop the termination of grants already awarded.
Previously, Ellison joined another lawsuit against the administration concerning attempts to reduce "indirect cost" reimbursements for NIH grants. A preliminary injunction was issued on March 5 by a federal judge to prevent cuts during ongoing legal proceedings.
This lawsuit was led by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, with contributions from California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown, and Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, among others.