STAT+: Scientists see promise in NIH proposal to cap number of grants they receive

STAT PlusPolitics Scientists see promise in NIH proposal to cap number of grants they receive Limiting awards seen as a way to spread the wealth to more universities, younger researchers Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Anil OzaJune 11, 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. Throughout Lawrence Tabak’s 25 years at the National Institutes of Health, serving first as the head of one of its institutes before becoming principal deputy director and subsequently acting director, he took many trips to universities around the country to talk to researchers. He made a point to prioritize state schools and smaller institutions. Never on those visits was there a shortage of researchers brimming with ideas they hoped would attract the funding to pursue. But without easy access to leaders within a field or top-of-the-line lab equipment, researchers outside top universities often struggle to compete for grants from the NIH.“There was never an institution I went to that I wasn’t blown away by a few young people,” Tabak said. “But it made me upset, because I realized the maldistribution of resources was compromising their ability to reach their potential.” Advertisement One proposal that’s been floated several times to help spread the wealth is to cap the number of grants individual researchers can receive from the NIH. Most recently, it was proposed in 2017 but was quickly walked back by the first Trump administration after pushback from high-rolling universities who would be harmed by the policy. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus daily intelligence on Capitol Hill and the life sciences industry — by subscribing to STAT+. 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 education, NIH, Policy, research, science, 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 Exclusive June 11, 2026 STAT Plus: Private Medicare plans erect barriers to rehab care in pursuit of profit, federal investigators find Health June 10, 2026 Diabetes association leader apologizes for expulsion of members, pledges to rebuild trust Advertisement Health June 10, 2026 Are Republicans turning against medications for treating opioid addiction? Pharma June 10, 2026 STAT Plus: As the U.S. looks on, European countries feel growing pressure on drug prices D.C. Diagnosis June 9, 2026 STAT Plus: Trump’s health care affordability czar takes aim at hospitals Subscriber Picks