On February 7, 2026 President Trump issued executive orders cutting all NIH indirect costs to 15%, and on February 23, 2026 ordered NIH to halt all Federal Register submissions, effectively stopping all pending grant funding. Multiple lawsuits have been filed by 22 state attorneys general, the Association of American Medical Colleges, and the Association of American Universities related to the indirect cost cap, and on March 5th, 2025, District Judge Angel Kelley, of Massachusetts granted a preliminary injunction for the plaintiffs, effective today. These actions have many grant dependent labs reeling, and uncertain of their future. It seems apparent that, despite multiple court rulings, these policies by the Trump administration are causing chaos in the research community.

Percepta conducted a short poll of 315 labs in the US last week to ask how these executive orders are impacting their labs. The findings of two specific questions are shown here:

Q. Which of the following best describes your sentiments regarding the action to halt Federal Register Submissions and stop new NIH grant funding.

It is not surprising that this is unpopular. Fully 82% of researches responding to the poll are strongly opposed to it, and another 5% are somewhat opposed. 6% of participants somewhat or strongly support these actions.

When asked to how it impacted their lab the response was equally concerning as shown here:

Q. Which of the following best describes how this action to halt Federal Register Submissions and stop new NIH grant funding is likely to impact your lab and your work?

The Trump policies are concerning to the majority of participants, with 29% fearing job losses, 17% calling it a threat to the labs ability to continue functioning, and 10% fearing a research cancellations, unless other funding can be found. 21% worry about pending funding being approved. 13% of participants were not directly affected.

These findings reflect an even distribution of participants from states voting for both President Trump (49%), and Vice President Harris (51%) in the 2024 general election. With the Trump administration showing apparent resistance to obeying court rulings regarding the NIH, it remains unclear, for the time being, what is likely to happen with NIH sponsored funding in the United States.