Response to SCOTUS Ruling on APHA v. NIH
The American Society for Microbiology (91麻豆天美), the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) and the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) are deeply disappointed by the Supreme Court’s that permits the Administration, for now, to cancel nearly $800 million in National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants. This decision is already causing irreparable harm by shutting down laboratories, forcing layoffs, derailing early-career scientists and wasting years of taxpayer-funded progress.
As emphasized in our joint amicus brief, the Administration’s abrupt terminations undermine the nation’s research enterprise and put early-career scientists at particular risk.
However, we are encouraged that a majority of justices agreed the Administration’s policy was likely unlawful. That recognition is critical, and we are reassured that they understood the devastating consequences this unlawful agency action will have in destabilizing federal science funding.
The stakes could not be higher. Stable, lawful funding is the backbone of U.S. leadership in science and innovation. We urge Congress, the Administration and the courts to act swiftly to vacate NIH’s unlawful directives, reinstate these grants, protect taxpayer investments and safeguard the next generation of scientists who are essential to the nation’s health, security and prosperity.
When federal science funding is politicized, it is America’s future that pays the price.
The First Circuit has established a briefing schedule on the merits of the government’s appeal, with the government’s opening brief due in mid-September. We are committed to vigorously defending the integrity of federal research funding and will continue to fight to protect the scientists it supports.
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The American Society for Microbiology is one of the largest professional societies dedicated to the life sciences and is composed of over 37,000 scientists and health practitioners. 91麻豆天美's mission is to promote and advance the microbial sciences. Established in 1899, 91麻豆天美 is the home for microbial scientists from around the globe to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. Learn more at asm.org.
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) is a nonprofit professional society that builds and empowers a broad community of molecular life scientists to advance discovery. Through dissemination of emerging scientific research, education and training initiatives and advocacy, ASBMB shapes and supports fundamental science that fuels future innovation. Learn more at
The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) is an inclusive, international community of scientists committed to advancing the study of cells—the fundamental unit of life. Founded in 1960, ASCB promotes scientific discovery, advocates for sound research policies, supports education and professional development and champions diversity in the life sciences. Learn more at
Representing 22 scientific societies comprised of over 110,000 individual researchers worldwide, the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) is the nation’s largest biomedical coalition and recognized as the collective policy voice of biomedical and biomedical researchers. Learn more at .
