The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has largely restored a crucial step in its funding process for biomedical research, but it may take time to resume the flow of millions of dollars to universities and medical schools. The agency’s freeze on communications with other health agencies, including posting notices to the Federal Register, had canceled dozens of NIH study sections meetings.
Under federal law, study section meetings must be advertised in the Federal Register at least 15 days in advance. However, following a notification from the Office of the Director, NIH employees have been informed that federal register notices for these meetings will resume shortly.
Despite this development, it is unclear when new grants can be approved and funding can flow again. It appears that notices for advisory council meetings, which provide additional review and make final funding recommendations, will continue to be suspended.
Source: https://www.statnews.com/2025/02/24/some-nih-study-sections-to-resume-grant-funding-future-unclear