Breaking: Overseas grants could be ‘closed down’ by NIH under new policy, internal email suggests

Top agency official directs review of numerous grants with a foreign component.

Log In    Subscribe Exclusive   Overseas grants could be 'closed down' by NIH under new policy, internal email suggests By Megan Molteni Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP A National Institutes of Health policy change on funding of foreign scientists is far more sweeping than described in a Thursday announcement, according to an internal email that indicates international clinical trials and other research will be strictly vetted going forward.   In an email obtained by STAT, principal deputy director Matthew Memoli said that NIH's entire "foreign component" portfolio "needs to undergo review." "If you can't clearly justify why you are doing something overseas, as in it can't possibly be done anywhere else and it benefits the American people, then the project should be closed down," he wrote. READ MORE Get your first 3 months for $30 Unlock access to STAT's award-winning journalism, premium data tools, and must-read, subscriber-only newsletters.  Subscribe In Case You Missed It 1   Trump's first 100 days, seen through 5 lives: Grants terminated. Dreams crushed. Futures in the balance By STAT staff 2   Trump proposes billions in cuts to federal health agencies from NIH to CDC By Daniel Payne 3   Autism evaluations are being canceled over fears about a national registry By O. Rose Broderick 4   Exclusive: NIH cancels participation in Safe to Sleep campaign that decreased infant deaths By Ismael M. Belkoura — Medill News Service Sign up for Morning Rounds Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day. Learn more. STAT, 1 Exchange Place, Boston, MA ©2025, All Rights Reserved. I no longer wish to receive STAT emails Update Newsletter Preferences • Contact Us • Advertise with Us