On April 3, 2025, Science reported that the Trump administration has directed the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to eliminate $2.6 billion in contracts as part of a Department of Government Efficiency plan to reduce 35% of contracts in each division of the Department of Health and Human Services. NIH contracts support staff scientists and research and development projects, including for many clinical trials conducted by universities. An agency official noted that a significant portion of the money for contracts in this fiscal year has already been spent, and a 35% cut will be “devastating” to the agency.