A flurry of Trump administration executive orders and memos have paused, blocked, and then unblocked various streams of federal research funding since taking office, leaving scientists confused about their funding.
In his Jan. 28 email to the campus community, University President Christopher Eisgruber ’83 acknowledged the confusion surrounding funding, writing that “you can expect to receive guidance from the Office of the Dean for Research, which is coordinating University-wide efforts.” At the time of publication, the Office of the Dean for Research’s most recent internal announcement is a memo sent to all principal investigators (PI) or co-investigators (co-PI) on federally-sponsored awards and proposals at Princeton. This Jan. 30 memo asked researchers to forward any stop-work orders they may receive and provides a new website page and an email for more information or questions.
Subsequent NIH funding remains in limbo following Trump’s Jan. 27 memo. In the 2024 fiscal year, the NIH awarded more than $37 billion to institutions across all U.S. states and over $265 million in foreign awards. Between Oct. 1, 2023 and Sept. 30, 2024, Princeton was awarded over $58 million, the least in the Ivy League, which received over three billion dollars total during the 2024 fiscal year. The NIH is a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, supporting biomedical and behavioral research.
Princeton’s Office of Research and Project Administration links a Science article addressing confusion about NIH policies in their announcement, which references acting director of the NIH Matthew Memoli’s Jan. 27 memo. Memoli wrote that he understands “confusion on the scope of the pause” and provided additional clarifications, including that communication begun before the inauguration may continue so long as “it does not involve public release of information.”
Princeton, like Penn, Yale, and Brown, was given NIH grants in 2024 as one institution. Meanwhile, the other Ivies received awards split among their respective schools, differentiating between health or medical funding and general University departments. Across all Ivies, Princeton received the least funding and is the only Ivy that does not have an associated medical school.
Princeton received fewer awards in the past two fiscal years of 2023 and 2024 than in every year since 2011 and less funding in 2024 than in any year since 2005, when Princeton also received $37.7 million from the NIH. The total funding and number of awards received by Princeton have remained relatively consistent.
Over the past five years, a majority of awards have gone towards research project grants. In 2024, this category accounted for 73 awards, totaling over $26 million in funding. The second-highest number of awards each year went to individual training, despite a consistently low amount of funding being awarded.
Biochemistry received the most funding at Princeton over the past five fiscal years, splitting around $18 million across 40 awards on average. Other science departments, including the chemistry and neuroscience departments, also received significant funding from the NIH.
In 2022 and 2023, the NSF awarded Princeton around $70 million each year. NSF funding accounts for around 32 percent of Princeton’s federally-funded research and development expenditures.
As of yesterday, the NSF Award Cash Management Service has been restored, allowing researchers to access their funding. The NSF stated all grantees must comply with executive orders, especially those surrounding diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) principles.
Andrew Bosworth is the Research Editor for the ‘Prince.’
Hellen Luo is an assistant Data editor for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
Read More
Fourth annual DEI report affirms commitment to DEI, presents new data and programs
Elisabeth StewartPrinceton’s fourth annual DEI report, which covers the 2023–24 academic year, includes new data on the University’s DEI programming, partnerships with Native American and Indigenous initiatives, outreach to transfer and veteran students, and the fostering of belonging across faith-based identities.
Princeton’s fourth annual DEI report, which covers the 2023–24 academic year, includes new data on the University’s DEI programming, partnerships with Native American and Indigenous initiatives, outreach to transfer and veteran students, and the fostering of belonging across faith-based identities.
Beyond the bubble: a review of 2025 winter break tours for Princeton performers
Luke GrippoStaff News Writer Luke Grippo recaps the experiences of various student a cappella groups touring during winter break.
Staff News Writer Luke Grippo recaps the experiences of various student a cappella groups touring during winter break.
In ‘Sapphire,’ eXpressions brings fresh perspectives to a familiar soundtrack
Audrey ZengContributing writer for the Prospect Audrey Zeng reviews a dress rehearsal for eXpressions’ 45th anniversary show “Sapphire,” with performances that bring a fresh take on familiar songs.
