By: Richard L. Smith
A multi-state legal challenge led in part by New Jersey has resulted in a settlement requiring the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to restart the review process for National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grants that had been on hold under the Trump Administration.
The agreement follows a lawsuit filed by New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and a coalition of 16 attorneys general, who argued that federal officials unlawfully slowed or halted the review of critical medical and public-health research proposals.
According to information released by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, the delays affected billions of dollars in potential funding and stalled projects at universities and public research institutions.
Under normal procedure, NIH grant applications undergo several stages of scientific and administrative review to evaluate their merit and alignment with federal research priorities.
The lawsuit claimed that the Administration cancelled upcoming review panel meetings, postponed future sessions, and withheld final decisions on applications that had already advanced through earlier stages of approval.
State officials said the disruptions prevented research teams from moving forward with important medical and scientific work and posed added challenges for states — including New Jersey — during a period marked by widespread flu, COVID-19, and RSV activity.
The settlement requires HHS to resume the standard review timeline for pending NIH grant applications and restricts the use of earlier federal directives that had targeted certain categories of research during the application process.
The agreement also builds on an earlier phase of the case in which a federal court set aside those disputed directives; a hearing on the federal government’s appeal is scheduled for January 6, 2026.
Further updates will be issued as the NIH review process moves forward under the restored procedures.