JOINContinuing Resolution cuts grants, limits funding, promises more chaos
The US narrowly averted a government shutdown this weekend with a Continuing Resolution (CR) that funds the government for the rest of the fiscal year (through 30 September 2025). While CR legislation generally keeps funding flat, the bill includes several provisions that eliminate grants and provide more authority to the administration to carry out additional cuts.
On the positive side, the legislation does reaffirm Congressional disapproval of the NIH’s cuts to indirect costs. However, cuts in the legislation include:
- $850 billion, including significant cancer research grants, from the Department of Defense’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP)
- All Congressionally Directed Spending (‘earmarks’), which will significantly impact university grants across the country
- Funding for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which will likely mean cuts to funding for quantum science, artificial intelligence and climate research
- Other specific programs, including the NIH’s 10-year congressionally mandated initiative to accelerate brain research and genomic medicine
In addition, the bill removes the usual congressional guidance on how to spend funds, instead granting broad discretion to the executive branch (which would make it harder for courts to stop the administration from cancelling funding).
Our Policy & Advocacy team will continue to monitor the news and update our members. Sign up for our newsletter for updates or reach out directly with questions.