Science Policy Hub
The AAMC engages frequently with federal agencies on policies and regulations that impact the funding, conduct, and oversight of medical research at academic medical centers.
On this page:
Issues We’re Watching
This section contains information on ongoing policy/regulation development, as well as forthcoming implementation deadlines. For additional in-depth coverage of policy topics, please refer to Science Policy Issues in the left-hand navigation.
Federal Grant Funding Updates
AAMC Analysis on the Impact of NIH Grant Terminations
The AAMC has been closely monitoring and analyzing the impact of National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant terminations on U.S. institutions. A new AAMC analysis focuses on a key area of impact: terminations of research training and career development grants that help build the next generation of the biomedical research workforce. Of 2,282 NIH grants terminated as of June 4, 38% were research training and career development grants, accounting for $512 million in lost funding across U.S. institutions. Previous analyses published in May 2025 detailed grant terminations as well as impacts on NIH-funded clinical trials.
Facilities & Administrative Costs
Funding Information from NIH:
- As of June 11, NIH has resumed posting notices of funding opportunities on the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts for the first time since January 22, 2025. These posts as well as forecasted NIH funding opportunities are also available on Grants.gov and can be found using the "Search Grants" function.
- The pages NIH Grants and Funding Information Status and Implementation of New Initiatives and Policies describe changes to NIH grants and funding policies and processes under new priorities. These policy notices as well as revisions to existing funding announcements are available in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts under the "Other Notices" tab.
- An updated list of NIH study sections and advisory council meetings is available here.
Federal Research-Related Litigation
The AAMC is engaged in or closely following litigation on issues affecting federally funded biomedical research, including NIH grant terminations and indirect cost rates.
Access all Research-Related Litigation Updates
Policy Issues the AAMC is Monitoring
- NIH on June 12 rescinded an update to the 2024 NIH Grants Policy Statement of a "new Civil Rights term and condition that modifies the current terms and conditions for all NIH grants, cooperative agreements, and other transaction (OT) awards." The HHS Grants Policy Statement and NSF General Grant Conditions, updated earlier this year with similar language, have not been revised following the publication of the NIH notice.
- Other significant changes to NIH grant policies and processes include disabling No-Cost Extension functionality in eRA Commons and changing award structures such that foreign subawards can no longer be nested under a parent grant.
- The White House on May 5 released an Executive Order on the safety and security of biological research, which will pause all "dangerous gain of function research," as defined in Section 8 of the order. The executive order also pulls back the 2024 policies "United States Government Policy for Oversight of Dual Use Research of Concern and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential" and "Framework for Nucleic Acid Synthesis Screening." Further information is available in a fact sheet and two implementation notices from the NIH (June 18) (May 7).
- Institutions with active international research programs will likely be impacted by a final rule from the Department of Justice (DOJ) limiting access to Americans' "bulk sensitive personal data" and government-related data by "countries of concern." DOJ on April 11 issued a compliance guide, FAQs, and an implementation and enforcement policy for the final rule. The AAMC previously responded to both an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on this issue.
Forthcoming Implementation Deadlines
- The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is implementing multiple changes that will impact the preparation and peer review of most grant applications submitted to the agency due on or after Jan. 25, 2025.
- The NIH public access policy will go into effect July 1, 2025.
- The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final rule revising the regulations governing Public Health Service Policies on Research Misconduct, which must be implemented through new institutional policies and procedures by Jan. 1, 2026. For more information, visit the HHS Office of Research Integrity.
Federal Scientific Leadership
- HHS Secretary: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (confirmed 2/13/25)
- NIH Director: Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD (confirmed 3/25/25)
- FDA Commissioner: Martin Makary, MD, MPH (confirmed 3/25/25)
- Director of FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER): George Tidmarsh, MD, PhD (appointed 7/21/25)
- CDC Director: Susan Monarez, PhD (confirmed 7/29/25)
- OSTP Director: Michael Kratsios (confirmed 3/25/25)
- CMS Administrator: Mehmet Oz, MD (confirmed 4/3/25)
- Surgeon General: Vacant (Casey Means, MD nominated on 5/7/25)
Take Action
This section contains engagement opportunities the AAMC has identified as important for the academic medical research enterprise. If you have questions about any of the items in this section, please reach out to us at researchpolicy@aamc.org.
Participate in the Rally for Medical Research
The AAMC is supporting the 2025 Rally for Medical Research and encourages researchers and research leaders to coordinate with their institutional Government Relations Representative and participate in Capitol Hill visits taking place on Sept. 18, 2025. The evening before, on Sept. 17, the Rally for Medical Research will host a reception on Capitol Hill to celebrate medical research with all partners and participants. The goal is to continue to call on the nation’s policymakers to make funding for NIH a national priority and raise awareness about the importance of continued investment in medical research. Take Action by registering to participate by Sept. 8.
Share AAMC Abstract with Your Colleagues
We invite you to help expand the reach of AAMC Abstract by sharing this link with your colleagues, societies, trainees and postdoctoral students, research administrators, or anyone interested in the creation or implementation of research policy. Anyone from this sector can subscribe to AAMC Abstract.
Recent AAMC Comments
Refer to the AAMC’s most recent letters below or access the full list of comments submitted on medical research. For more on the latest legislative and regulatory activities affecting academic medicine, check out AAMC Washington Highlights.
- AAMC joins 30 organizations in letter opposing legislation that would limit federally funded animal research.
- May 30, 2025
The AAMC submitted comments to OPM on its proposed rule “Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service.”
- May 23, 2025
The AAMC submitted comments to the Office of Management and Budget on its request for information on reducing regulatory burden.
- May 12, 2025
Learn About the Comment Process
Public Engagement in the Federal Rulemaking Process
Federal agencies solicit feedback on proposed regulations, policies, and other programmatic activities through the "notice and comment" process, where draft documents are made available to the public for response. Typically, these notices are posted in the Federal Register, on the agency websites, or in official notices such as the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts. Agencies may also use email listservs or social medial to reach broader audiences. The public typically has 30-60 days to provide written comments in response to the agency, who may also hold public meetings or listening sessions. Submitted responses to proposed regulations are typically placed in an online docket and can be accessed by the public. After the comment period ends, the agency reviews and considers the feedback submitted and generally concludes the process by publishing a final regulation, policy, or programmatic decision in the Federal Register or other official agency channels. Once a regulation is issued as a final rule it becomes "effective" meaning that the regulated community must come into compliance with its requirements.
How the AAMC Develops Science Policy Comment Letters
Comment letters are one essential step in the AAMC's efforts to inform the development of federal agency initiatives. The science policy team begins with a thorough review of proposed regulations, policies, or agency actions that affect the biomedical research mission in academic medicine. We identify comment opportunities where AAMC expertise can meaningfully add to agency deliberations and which could impact AAMC members' interests across the spectrum of research from fundamental discovery to clinical trials and population health research, particularly in areas of research conduct, training, grants, policy, and oversight. Engaging the AAMC constituent community is also a key part of this process. To gather input, we host community calls, conduct surveys, and maintain open lines of communication with key collaborators, including AAMC affinity groups and other organizations. Final comment letters are published on this webpage under Recent AAMC Comments and featured in AAMC Abstract and Washington Highlights, weekly newsletters for the AAMC community.
Are you aware of a comment opportunity that isn't mentioned on this page and want to know if AAMC will be responding? Reach out to us at researchpolicy@aamc.org.
Making Your Voice Heard at FDA
The Insider's Guide to Effective Commenting on NIH Policies
Brookings: How to Effectively Comment on Regulations (PDF)