The idea was discussed in a White House meeting, with officials declining to provide further comment to reporters.

NIH funds critical biomedical research across diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s, and the proposed change could affect studies with broad public impact.

Earlier in the month, similar Office of Management and Budget proposals faced congressional criticism and were temporarily blocked.

Critics warn that adding external oversight could slow progress and delay lifesaving treatments for patients and families.

A reported executive order would establish an external, unanimous-approval board to oversee NIH grant funding, with potential veto power over awards that don’t align with the president’s political priorities.

The proposed board would include NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya and White House Budget Director Russ Vought, and all grant decisions would require unanimous agreement.

Budget director Russ Vought has directed the drafting of the executive order to create a body that selects which NIH grants are funded, according to administration officials.

The move fits into a pattern of prior funding cuts to universities and research institutions, framed by critics as reallocating federal spending toward what the administration calls solid science.

Supporters argue cuts were necessary to refocus on solid science, while opponents view them as politicizing science funding.

The coverage situates the plan within broader criticism of federal research funding cuts and the administration’s justification to prioritize certain scientific areas.

The reporting cites sources from major outlets and notes a class-action lawsuit by researchers alleging censorship and First Amendment violations related to NIH funding.

Experts condemned politicizing grant reviews, warning the move could erode NIH’s reputation for rigorous, apolitical scientific evaluation.