Trump Administration Cuts $2.5 Million NIH Funding for Transgender Animal Research

The Trump administration has terminated two National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants for transgender animal experiments that were initially awarded under President Biden. The grants, totaling over $740,000 and awarded to Harvard University, included research on 'transmasculine' mice regarding breast cancer risks associated with testosterone therapy and the effects of hormone treatments on wound healing. The watchdog group White Coat Waste Project (WCW) praised the cuts as a victory against wasteful taxpayer spending, stating that $241 million has been spent on similar transgender animal experiments during Biden's administration. The first grant, valued at $299,940, was set to conclude in August 2025, while the second, worth $442,444, was projected to receive an additional $2.2 million through 2029. Anthony Bellotti, president of WCW, highlighted that these cuts reflect a commitment to eliminating unnecessary federal expenditures. Critics argue that the abrupt funding cuts could hinder research opportunities that aim to address important health concerns.