Bhattacharya provides calm answers to anxious questions at confirmation hearing

RFK Jr.’s new committee votes on vaccine recommendations, despite Sen. Cassidy’s call for meeting delay

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), a key Senate health leader, June 23 called for the meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to be delayed, citing concerns over the committee members’ lack of directly relevant experience and their potential bias against some vaccines.

June 27, 2025

Vol.51 No.25

By Claire Marie Porter and Jacquelyn Cobb

“Forward funding” NIH budget plan would make competing for grants much harder

In the fiscal year 2026 budget request, the Trump administration proposes “forward funding,” or multiyear funding, of awards.

Federal judge rules Trump directives canceling NIH grants “illegal,” orders them to be restored

A federal judge has called the Trump’s administration’s cancellation of NIH grants “illegal,” striking it down.

NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya launches a podcast

NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya has launched his own podcast called “The Director’s Desk,” where he plans to host weekly conversations on scientific careers, leadership, and innovation at NIH.

Vinay Prasad named chief medical and scientific officer at FDA

Vinay Prasad, a MAHA-aligned hematologist-oncologist with an avid cyber following, who was named director of the FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research in early May (The Cancer Letter, May 9, 2025), has now been also appointed chief medical and science officer at FDA, according to an internal memo obtained by The Cancer Letter.