STAT+: NIH cuts weakened network primed to respond to outbreaks like Ebola

STAT PlusHealth NIH cuts weakened network primed to respond to outbreaks like Ebola Grant terminations affected centers meant to streamline creation of diagnostics and treatments Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Anil OzaJune 3, 2026 General Assignment Reporter Anil Oza[email protected]Anil Oza is a general assignment reporter at STAT focused on the NIH and health equity. You can reach him on Signal at aniloza.16. In 2020, the National Institutes of Health funded a network of 10 centers intended to “expand knowledge on re-emerging and emerging infectious diseases.” But when dangerous Ebola and hantaviruses spilled over and caused outbreaks in recent months, those research centers have not been in a position to provide aid. In 2025, the centers’ grants were terminated by the Trump administration as part of cuts that targeted work related to Covid-19 and pandemic preparedness. The network “has been deemed unsafe for Americans and not a good use of taxpayer funding,” the agency told its grantees in May 2025. Of the $82 million allocated to the program over the course of five years, $14.9 million remained unspent, according to data collected by Grant Witness. Advertisement While the centers weren’t on the front lines of outbreak responses like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or USAID, some researchers involved in the network said the NIH cuts have weakened relationships with experts in other countries that they spent years fostering, with the hopes that it would streamline outbreak responses and the creation of diagnostics and treatments. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In global health, infectious disease, NIH, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Anil Oza General Assignment Reporter Anil Oza is a general assignment reporter at STAT focused on the NIH and health equity. You can reach him on Signal at aniloza.16. Newsletter Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day Recommended Politics June 3, 2026 STAT Plus: Trump’s Medicaid work requirements have an unwelcome surprise for some states and patients Health June 1, 2026 STAT Plus: Trump administration releases rules for new Medicaid work requirements Advertisement Health Care Inc. Newsletter June 1, 2026 STAT Plus: Medicare’s mum on GLP-1s, and Massachusetts sues United Politics June 1, 2026 STAT Plus: Medicare still won’t say how much covering obesity drugs will cost Business June 1, 2026 STAT Plus: No Surprises Act arbitration rule could worsen flood of provider disputes Subscriber Picks